Sydney: Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni has stepped down ahead of a planned no-confidence vote in parliament, local media reported on Monday.

"I am resigning immediately in accordance with the constitution," Sovaleni announced to the Pacific nation’s parliament, as reported by the Matangi Tonga news website, which cited the parliament office.

Efforts to contact Sovaleni’s office for confirmation were unsuccessful, and the parliament office did not respond to requests for comment.

According to Matangi Tonga, the no-confidence motion was not discussed in parliament on Monday. Sovaleni is expected to address the media later in the day, the outlet added.