LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian Prime Minister Salomon Lerner unexpectedly resigned on Saturday, radio station RPP reported, in what would be the first ministerial change since President Ollanta Humala took office in late July.
A source at the presidential palace would not confirm or deny the resignation of Lerner, who is seen as one of Humala's key advisors.
By law, if a prime minister steps down the rest of the ministers must present their resignations as well, giving the president a chance to make changes or confirm them in their posts.
Peru's government has been shaken by protests against a $4.8 billion gold mine project. Humala gave the military and police special powers to end rallies that had shut roads, schools and hospitals in the Cajamarca region.
Last weekend, Lerner personally negotiated with leaders of the protest for hours but he could not reach an accord, prompting the emergency measures by the president.
Humala, a former army officer, won the presidency in June on promises to steer more social spending to rural towns to help calm social conflicts over natural resources while assuring companies their investments would be safe in Peru's surging economy.
(Reporting by Patricia Velez; Writing by Hilary Burke; Editing by Bill Trott)
