It says that Purryag sent his letter of resignation to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius.
Purryag was appointed president in 2012 by the island's previous Labour party government of former premier Navin Ramgoolam.
In a statement broadcasted on a private radio channel in the island, Purryag said that he had agreed to step down as Head of State in January 2015 but did asked for some five months to implement the decision.
His move paves the way for the country to have first female Head of State, well known scientist and researcher Ameenah Gurib- Fakim.
Parliament who had already gone on holidays could have a special session next week so that Gurib-Fakim becomes Mauritius' sixth president since independence in 1992, official said.
Editor: Ade P Marboen
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