LIMA: Peru's government ministers on Monday offered their resignations to President Ollanta Humala, the health minister said -- a move that was expected as the leftist leader marks one year in office.
"All of the ministers have offered their resignations to President Humala," Health Minister Alberto Tejada said after abinet met Prime Minister Oscar Valdes. The move gives Humala room to reshuffle his cabinet.
Tejada would not say who might replace Valdes, saying only: "The president will decide who will continue to serve in the cabinet."
The new cabinet was expected to be sworn in at 6:00 pm Monday (2300 GMT).
"We are satisfied. We have the feeling of having accomplished something after having devoted all our energy and effort," Tejada added.
Humala, who on Saturday will celebrate his first year in office, shook up his cabinet in December, naming Valdes, the onetime interior minister and a former army officer like himself, as his prime minister.
Valdes had replaced millionaire businessman Salomon Lerner, who had been Humala's right-hand man on the campaign trail but only lasted five months as the head of his cabinet.
According to Peruvian law, the prime minister's resignation automatically triggers the resignation of other cabinet members.
The most frequently cited potential successors for the post of prime minister are outgoing minister of justice, Juan Jimenez, and minister of the environment, Manuel Pulgar Vidal.
The minister of defense and the minister of the interior submitted their resignations in May, in the wake of strong criticism against government policy regarding the fight against guerrillas and drug traffickers.
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