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Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni has abruptly quit his post in parliament ahead of a planned confidence vote in his leadership, capping a period of fraught relations between his government and Tonga’s king.

SUVA - Tongan King Tupou VI has officially accepted the resignation of Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni as prime minister, a statement on the parliament's Facebook page said. The resignation came Monday morning as the parliament was preparing to debate a motion for a vote of no confidence.

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni has resigned "for the good of the country and moving Tonga forward", the Pacific Island nation's parliament said on Monday. Media reported the resignation in parliament shortly before midday came ahead of a motion for a vote of no confidence expected to be put to the assembly.

Siaosi Sovaleni told parliament he would quit just moments before lawmakers decided his future in a vote of no confidence. The prime minister is stepping down in the wake of a power struggle with the royal family.

Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, the Tonga Prime Minister, has resigned rather than face a no-confidence motion. Parliament was to discuss Mr Sovaleni’s leadership on Monday with ‘Aisake Eke poised to bring on the motion on behalf of 10 MPs.