The Italian economy has made a quarterly gain for the first time in more than two years as Prime Minister Enrico Letta is ousted by his party.

According to Italy's national statistics institute, GDP growth in last three months of 2013 was 0.1%. On a yearly basis, the Italian economy decreased by 0.8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2012.

Letta is expected to submit his resignation to the president Giorgio Napolitano. His probable successor is party rival Matteo Renzi, the 39-year-old mayor of Florence and new chief of the Democratic Party, Italy's largest political group.

Letta's departure will bring to an end a 10-month-old government that has gradually got weaker since its formation in the spring of 2013 and has come under pressure for failing to combat Italy's deep economic problems.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner