Bangladesh, July 24 -- Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has assumed the role of acting president after Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned from office, citing "serious" health complications.

The Constitution requires the speaker to discharge the president's duties until a new head of state is elected.

On Friday afternoon, Shahabuddin confirmed his resignation to bdnews24.com via WhatsApp, saying: "It's already public knowledge. What's the point of hearing it from me? I am sick, so it is done."

Asked whether he had signed the resignation letter, he replied: "I've already said it. You can understand."

Md Sarwar Alam, press secretary to the president, later confirmed that Shahabuddin had submitted his resignation letter to the speaker, citing "serio...