Irish PM quits as party leader

Embattled Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen announced yesterday he was stepping down as leader of his Fianna Fail party but would remain as leader of the country ahead of elections on March 11.
"Taking everything into account, and having discussed the matter with my family, I have decided on my own counsel to step down as uachtarain (president) of Fianna Fail and leader of Fianna Fail," he told reporters in Dublin.