US Secretary of State Colin Powell has announced his resignation in a letter saying it was time for him to return to private life. The White House also released letters of resignation from Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and Education Secretary Rod Paige.
A copy of the letter of resignation, dated November 12, 2004, from U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell which was handed out to reporters at the White House today.
"I believe that now that the election is over the time has come for me to step down as Secretary of State and return to private life," Powell said in his letter of resignation, dated November 12th, which was released by the White House today.
"I, therefore, resign as the 65th secretary of state, effective at your pleasure," Powell wrote.
The former general, who headed the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the first Gulf War, was regarded as a dove in a White House full of hawks, and his resignation will not come as a great surprise.
US National Security Adviser, Condoleeza Rice, is favourite to succeed MrPowell
Mr Powell told his staff he had handed his resignation to President Bush on Friday and that he will remain in office until a successor is appointed.
Mr Powell had long been rumoured to be determined to serve only one term as Bush's Secretary of State.
The White House is preparing an announcement to confirm his resignation.
US Ambassador to the United Nations John Danforth and Bush's national security adviser Condoleezza Rice are leading candidates to replace Mr Powell, according to Republican party and diplomatic sources.
Mr Powell has had a controversial tenure in the chief of state's job, reportedly differing on some key issues at various times with Defence Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld.
But Mr Powell has generally had good relations with his counterparts around the world, although his image standing has been strained by the US-led war in Iraq.
Mr Powell led the Bush administration argument at the United Nations for a military attack to oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, arguing a weapons-of-mass-destruction threat that the administration could never back up.
In addition to his work to take the case for a war against Iraq to the United Nations, he pressed for negotiations with North Korea over its suspected nuclear arsenal and has acquiesced on European talks with Iran over its atomic programs.
Powell leaves in the wake of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's death, which the Bush administration has said presents a new opportunity for peace.He will initially lead the US diplomatic push to help Palestinians hold elections on a successor.
His departure starts a week of Cabinet shuffling for Mr Bush, who is planning his second term. Education Secretary Mr Rod Paige also wants to leave, and last week, the administration announced the departures of Commerce Secretary Mr Donald Evans and Attorney General Mr John Ashcroft.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair today paid tribute to Mr Powell after the news broke.
In a statement, Mr Blair said: "He is a remarkable man and has been a good friend to this country over a very long period."