Canada’s opposition leader to resign

The leader of Canada\'s main opposition Liberal Party, Stephane Dion, has announced he will be resigning.



An interim leader is expected to be chosen tomorrow until a party convention in May.



Deputy leader Michael Ignatieff is widely tipped to replace Mr. Dion.



This announcement follows the failure of an opposition coalition to topple the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week.



The Liberals and New Democratic Party with the support of the separatist Bloc Quebecois, had agreed to vote together to overthrow the government in a confidence vote scheduled for December 8, and form a coalition government.



In an unprecedented move, Mr. Harper avoided the vote by asking the governor general to suspend Parliament until late January, when the government will present a budget.



Mr. Dion lost favour with his party after the Conservatives were re-elected with a strengthened minority in October.