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Gorbachev resigns as Russian Social Democrat leader

MOSCOW. May 22 (Interfax) - Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev resigned on Saturday as leader of the Russian Social Democratic Party, said a source in the party leadership.

Gorbachev announced his resignation at a party meeting, the source told Interfax. The former Soviet leader "took the floor right at the beginning, before the agenda was even approved, and announced his decision."

The source quoted Gorbachev as saying, in explaining his decision, that "I have lost confidence, both in political and in human terms, in the party chairman, [Samara region governor] Konstantin Titov."

"The party came through its first stage correctly," Gorbachev said in his speech, according to the source.

"We set up regional branches, joined Socialist International, and made a number of other important organizational and political decisions," he said.

But "since preparations for the State Duma elections, things have started happening in the party that have been giving rise to anxiety," he said. "Intrigues began, and some kind of project began that essentially amounted to Titov trying to privatize the party. Rumors have even started reaching me that there are almost plans to sell the party."

"Gorbachev said that given the current situation, he didn't want to enter into any debates and that he was laying down his powers as leader but would remain in the party," the source said. "He also said attention should be paid to his words, or otherwise the party won't develop as it should under the current trends."

Gorbachev himself confirmed his resignation to Interfax but would not elaborate.

"I spoke before everyone, so there's nothing secret about the reason why I made this move," he said.

Interfax has been unable so far to obtain any comments from Titov.