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Bolivia has suffered weeks of turmoil amid violent protests against government plans to export national gas

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Demonstrators sought the resignation of President Sanchez de Lozada... here miners cheer as rumours circulate that he has quit

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As news filtered out that the president had indeed left office, Bolivians gathered in La Paz to celebrate

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Some danced and played music...

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Others proudly waved Bolivian flags

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The now ex President Sanchez de Lozada said he hoped his resignation would help solve the country's problems

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But his successor, Vice President Carlos Mesa, may find he has inherited more than just the presidential sash