Italian PM Mario Draghi resigns

ROME - Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Thursday officially resigned, remitting his mandate in the hands of the president, and putting an end to his national unity government after 17 months in office, Bernama reports.

Meanwhile, AFP reported that the office of President Sergio Mattarella confirmed Draghi handed in his resignation on Thursday, after his national unity coalition government crumbled.

Draghi submitted "his resignation and that of the government he heads," said the brief statement.

The president "took note of this" and the government remained in place to "conduct current business," the statement added.