Peru’S Prime Minister Lasts Just Two Months

Peru’s prime minister stepped down Friday after serving only two months, saying he could not stay in power given his differences with the government of President Alberto Fujimori.

Javier Valle Riestra told reporters that the president had accepted his resignation and will announce his replacement in the coming days.

He said he was resigning because of repeated clashes with hard-liners in Fujimori’s government and the armed forces.

“I cannot live among these constant disputes. I am a democrat and here there is a totalitarian spirit,” he said.

Fujimori surprised even his own supporters when he named the outspoken Valle Riestra, known for his defense of human rights, to the post. Analysts say it was an attempt to improve his government’s authoritarian image.