Banzer Quits, Handing Reins to Vice President

His hands shaking and his voice quivering, President Hugo Banzer resigned from office, saying his battle with cancer makes it impossible for him to govern Bolivia, South America's poorest nation.

Banzer, 75, handed the presidential medallion and sash to Vice President Jorge Quiroga, who has been filling in for him since Banzer left Bolivia last month for treatment in Washington.

Under Bolivian law, Banzer technically remains president until Quiroga, 41, is sworn in today. The former dictator's resignation came a year before the end of his five-year term.

Banzer, who is fighting cancer that has spread from his lungs to his liver, was to return to the United States on Wednesday for more chemotherapy.