Outgoing Premier Mao Chi-kuo (front).

Taipei, Jan. 18 (CNA) The fate of the Cabinet headed by Premier Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) appeared to be in limbo on Monday when he announced it was resigning en masse even though President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said earlier in the day that he would not accept the resignation for now.

Mao walked out of a special Cabinet meeting without taking questions.

Vice Premier Simon Chang (張善政) explained that Mao will take some time off, leaving Chang as head of the Cabinet and other ministers in their posts for the time being until the president decides whether or not to accept the Cabinet's resignation.

Ma said he still hoped that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will agree to form a new Cabinet after its victory in Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections on Saturday and would not approve the resignation of the current Cabinet in the meantime.

Before Mao convened the special Cabinet meeting, Ma went to the premier's residence but did not find him there. The president left after asking Mao's wife to convey a message asking the premier to stay on.

(By Tai Ya-chen and Jay Chen)
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