The new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Humza Yousaf, has been officially confirmed as Scotland's new head of government by Parliament in Edinburgh. The 37-year-old was elected Scotland's first Muslim and ethnic minority First Minister on Tuesday afternoon by a majority of 71 votes from both the SNP and the Greens. Yousaf's family has Pakistani roots.

The previous health minister was elected the new party leader by members of his party after long-time Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation. Confirmation by Parliament was considered a formality. Yousaf is scheduled to be sworn in on Wednesday.

"Thank you Scotland for the privilege"

Sturgeon signed her letter of resignation on Tuesday and left Bute House for the last time, as she announced on Twitter. "Thank you Scotland for the privilege," she wrote.

The 52-year-old is stepping down at her own request after more than eight years at the head of the Scottish government. Regarded as popular until recently, it failed to achieve its ultimate goal - the independence of Britain's most northerly part of the country from the United Kingdom.