British Prime Minister David Cameron is to step down by October after the UK voted to leave the European Union.
British Prime Minister David Cameron made the announcement in a statement outside Downing Street after the final result of the EU referendum was announced.
He said he would attempt to "steady the ship" over the coming weeks and months but that "fresh leadership" was needed.
The PM had urged the country to vote Remain, warning of economic and security consequences of an exit, but the UK voted to Leave by 52% to 48%.
England and Wales voted strongly for exit, while London, Scotland and Northern Ireland backed staying in.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage hailed it as the UK's "independence day" but the Remain camp called it a "catastrophe".
The pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985 as the markets reacted to the results.
Flanked by wife Samantha, Mr Cameron said he had informed the Queen of his decision to remain in place for the short term and to then hand over to a new prime minister by the time of the Conservative conference in October.
It would be for the new prime minister to carry out negotiations with the EU and invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which would give the UK two years to negotiate its withdrawal, he said.
Cameron said the British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected. He added that the will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered.
The referendum turnout was 71.8% - with more than 30 million people voting - the highest turnout at a UK-wide vote since 1992.