Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree on Tuesday ordering Moscow`s old-time mayor Yury Luzhkov to resign, the Kremlin said.

"Yury Luzhkov is being relieved of his duties as Moscow mayor in connection with the Russian president`s loss of confidence in him," the decree said.

The veteran mayor, who turned 74 last Tuesday, returned from Austria on Sunday, after the Kremlin had reportedly given him a week to ponder his exit strategy.

Luzhkov said on Monday he had no plans to resign, despite widespread expectation that he would announce his departure at a City Hall meeting on Tuesday.
sections: Politics, World News