British Prime Minister David Cameron resigned Friday in the wake of a historic referendum that saw the British public vote in favor of withdrawing from the European Union. The knife's edge Brexit (British exit) ballot saw 51.8% of Britons vote in favor of leaving the 28-member bloc, while 48.2% voted to remain. The vote makes Britain the first country to leave the EU since its formation in 1993. British media reported that the referendum turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting -- the highest turnout at a U.K. election since 1992.

Standing outside Number 10 Downing Street in London with his wife Samantha at his side, a visibly emotional Cameron -- who had supported Britain's remaining in the EU -- said the country required "fresh leadership" to navigate the lengthy separation process from the bloc.