"
DUBLIN Cheap Tyson Chandler Jersey , May 17 (Xinhua) -- Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and Fine Gael (United Ireland Party) leader Enda Kenny announced on Wednesday evening that he was stepping down as party leader as of midnight Wednesday.


""Last year I indicated that I would not lead the Fine Gael party into the next general election. I have decided to implement that decision today,"" Kenny said in a statement issued at the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting.


""Therefore, I will retire as leader of Fine Gael effective from midnight tonight,"" he said.


In the 2016 general election Cheap Jared Dudley Jersey , Fine Gael didn't win an overall majority. The party then formed a minority government with independent TDs (members of parliament), with party leader Kenny serving as Prime Minister for the second time. Kenny has led the party since 2002.


Kenny has been a member of the parliament for west Ireland's County Mayo since 1975, having succeeded his father Henry Kenny. He is the longest-serving lawmaker currently in the Dail Eireann, the lower house of Irish parliament.


But Kenny said he would remain on as Prime Minister until a new party leader was elected.


""I will continue to carry out my duties as party leader in an acting capacity Cheap Eric Bledsoe Jersey , until my successor is elected through the Fine Gael leadership election process,"" he said.


""I have asked that the Fine Gael Executive Council expedite this process and to have it concluded by close of business on June 2. I want to assure people that throughout this internal process, I will continue to carry out my duties and responsibilities as Taoiseach in full,"" he added.


Kenny also said it had been a ""huge honor and privilege"" for him to have led the party for the past 15 years.


At the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting Cheap Devin Booker Jersey , participants gave a long standing ovation to Kenny, praising him for his remarkable service to the country and party.


""Under Enda Kenny as Taoiseach, we saw a devastated economy repaired, long-ignored social issues addressed Cheap Marquese Chriss Jersey , and the rebirth of a self-confident Ireland,"" Fine Gael parliamentary party chairman Martin Heydon said.


""His leadership of Fine Gael since 2002 has brought us to our most successful period in government as the largest party in Dail Eireann for the last two terms,"" Heydon said.


A party leadership contest has officially begun. Minister for social protection Leo Varadkar and Minister for Housing Simon Coveney are widely considered the two frontrunners in the leadership race.


Education minister Richard Bruton is also reported to be assessing the possibility of entering the race.


The Fine Gael leadership will be decided by an electoral college that gives the parliamentary party -- TDs, Senators Cheap Charles Barkley Jersey , and MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) -- 65 percent of the vote. Rank-and-file members are allocated 25 percent and councilors 10 percent.


China, Argentina pledge to strengthen bilateral ties


Xi elaborates on inspiration behind Belt and Road Initiative


China, Cambodia vow to implement cooperation plans under Belt and Road Initiative


In pics: aerial photo of centerless ferris wheel in E China


Miraculous road at Guoliang cliff corridor in China's Henan


Dough figurines made by folk artist in E China


Sea of clouds over meadows in NW China's Shaanxi


2017 national yoga contest held in SW China

"

KAMPALA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- As the people fleeing the South Sudan crisis continue to enter neighboring Uganda Cheap Grant Hill Jersey , the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said a political solution is urgently needed to resolve the crisis.


Peter Maurer who visited South Sudan and Uganda told reporters here on Monday that the solution to the crisis is political rather than military.


He urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to use his regional influence to push the rival parties to stop the fighting.


"I am deeply convinced that some of the structural and systematic problems with which we are confronting can be found if the neighbors and together with the parties in South Sudan play an important role in a peaceful solution," Maurer said.


"It's through a political negotiation that peace has to be found and not us (humanitarian agencies) can do it. Everybody knows one of the key influencers, one of the key actors in South Sudan crisis is President Museveni because of his influences," Maurer added.


Museveni Cheap Jason Kidd Jersey , under a request by his South Sudan counterpart, Salva Kiir, has been mediating talks between the conflicting parties.


Maurer who met Museveni later on Monday urged the warring parties to respect international humanitarian law. Human rights agencies and the UN have accused parties in the conflict of committing atrocities.


"We remind those taking part in the fighting of their obligations under international humanitarian law and to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian injuries and loss of life," said Maurer.


He said the conflict is also complicated by the poverty coupled with international pressures on the economy.


New figures released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office here indicate that of the 1 Cheap Shaquille O’Neal Jersey ,338,887 refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda, 1,006 Cheap Steve Nash Jersey ,779 are South Sudanese as of Aug. 15.


Humanitarian agencies said the increased influx of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda has continued to exert pressure on the limited resources available.


According to UNHCR, of the 674.25 million U.S. dollars Uganda and the UN requested from the international community to cater for the refugees this year, only 24 percent has been raised.


South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar led to fighting that pitted mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.


The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was a. Cheap Epic React Pink Cheap Epic React Cheap Epic React Kids Cheap Epic React Black Air Max Womens Cheap Air Vapormax Mens Cheap Nike Presto Sale Jordan Retro Shoes For Sale Jordan Retro Shoes For Sale Cheap Air Max 90 Shoes