(Head of Taiwan's Executive Yuan Frank Hsieh announces his resignation during a news conference in Taipei, Taiwan January 17, 2006. Photo: Reuters)

Head of Taiwan's Executive Yuan Frank Hsieh announced his resignation on Tuesday, paving the way for a "cabinet" reshuffle.

Frank Hsieh has come under pressure to resign since the Democratic Progressive Party lost local elections on December 3.

"I thank Chen Shui-bian for agreeing to accept my resignation last night," Frank Hsieh told a news conference.

Frank Hsieh has been hurt by scandals surrounding the construction of a subway system in the southern city of Kaohsiung.

He was the city's mayor before he became the head of Taiwan's Executive Yuan last February.