Mali's President Ibrahim Bubakar Keita has announced his resignation and dismissal of parliament.
According to Gadin.Net, RIA Novosti reports that President B. Keita made this statement in a televised speech.
"From now on, I have decided to suspend my duties ... I do not want bloodshed to protect my power," the Malian president said on live state television.
Keita has been president since 2013.
Earlier in the day, rebels in Mali arrested some ministers and high-ranking officers.