Reaction as Foster stands down
Pressure from inside the party has pushed Mrs Foster to resign.
Arlene Foster will quit as leader of the DUP and First Minister of Northern Ireland, after facing mounting discontent among her party.
She said she will leave her DUP role on May 28 and resign as First Minister at the end of June.
The 50-year-old Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative indicated her resignation will mark the end of her political career, as she said she was preparing to "depart the political stage''.
Political reaction has been flooding in since the announcement at around 4pm today (Wednesday).
Political reaction
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill tweeted: "I have spoken with Arlene Foster today and she informed me of her decision to step down. I have wished Arlene and her family well in the time ahead. Politics and Power sharing must work and deliver for everyone.''
DUP Agri Minister Edwin Poots, who is rumoured to be a potential candidate for leadership, thanked the outgoing leader and FM for her service.
Party Colleague Nigel Dodds thanked Mrs Foster for "defending the Union".
The SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, sent "good wishes", but said a "personnel change" alone will not unite communities in NI.
The Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, said Mrs Foster was a "truly dedicated public servant".