Australia's FM Rudd resigns

SYDNEY: Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd on Wednesday resigned, saying he could not continue without the support of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Speculation has been mounting that Rudd plans to challenge Gillard for the leadership and he said he would return to Australia this week and make a full statement on his future before parliament resumes on Monday.

"The simple truth is that I cannot continue to serve as foreign minister if I don't have Prime Minister Gillard's support," he said in a late night press conference in Washington broadcast live in Australia.

"I therefore believe the only honorable course of action is for me to resign."