Cape Town — South Africa's national police chief, Jackie Selebi, has been suspended from duty and has resigned his post as president of the international police agency, Interpol.

This follows the revelation by prosecutors in court papers on Friday that Selebi is to be charged with corruption and defeating the ends of justice. The charges arise from his friendship with an alleged drug dealer.

Selebi's "extended leave of absence" as the country's commissioner of police was announced by President Thabo Mbeki at a news conference in Pretoria on Saturday.

A transcript of Mbeki's remarks released by the government said Selebi "ought not to be sitting at police headquarters" during his trial, since this would be "misinterpreted" and would likely have a negative impact on the country's prosecuting authority.

Mbeki added: "We all have to respect all the legal processes in the country and therefore if [the prosecution authority] believes that it needs to proceed against the national commissioner of police we would have to accept that and ensure that we do all that is necessary for the law to take its course without any hindrance from any party."

In a statement released from its headquarters in Lyon, France, Interpol said it had received a letter from Selebi on Sunday resigning with immediate effect. His decision was made "out of respect for the global law enforcement community," it added.