Labour leader Alfred Sant has resigned with immediate effect.

The resignation was announced at a press conference currently under way at Labour headquarters.

Dr Sant was appointed to the MLP helm in 1992, taking over from Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.

He piloted an organisational reform of the Labour Party, which included the building of a new headquarters, and in 1996 he led the party to government.

But his government only lasted 22 months when Dom Mintoff denied him his one-seat parliamentary majority.

The MLP subsequently lost the general election of 1998 and the EU referendum and general election of 2003. He had offered to resign after the 2003 defeats but was persuaded to stay on and had been hopeful of returning to government after last Saturday's poll.

Dr Sant, 60, will remain an MP but said his resignation is irrevocable.

Dr Sant, who looked relaxed and well, congratulated Dr Gonzi on the PN's victory, saying the PN had won the slimmest of victories and the MLP had lost with honour.

Dr Gonzi now had a duty to govern the country as one whole, with no people being sidelined, Dr Sant said.

He thanked supporters who backed the MLP and his own collaborators within the MLP.