ISTANBUL, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas on Friday announced his resignation due to reported disputes within his administration.
"I would like to thank Istanbul residents and ask their permission to resign from my post," Topbas said during a televised press conference. "I have never said I am tired and I am not leaving the municipality in debt."
He said he was only stepping down from his post as mayor but would continue to retain ties with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Topbas also vowed not to let the opposition parties to take advantage of his resignation.
He did not give any reason for leaving office, but press reports cited disputes within the municipal administration over zoning amendments.
Topbas refused to sign the amendments agreed upon previously, saying they would later damage the municipal council with shortcomings, the Hurriyet daily said.
The files were approved, however, without changes with the votes of AKP council members, according to the daily.
Topbas, 72, was first appointed as the mayor of Istanbul's Beyoglu district in 1999 and became Istanbul's mayor in 2004.
