Tony Blair announced resignation

PanARMENIAN.Net - Tony Blair has announced he will stand down as Prime Minister on 27 June. He made the announcement in a speech to party activists in his Sedgefield constituency, after earlier briefing the Cabinet on his plans. He acknowledged his government had not always lived up to high expectations but said he had been very lucky to lead "the greatest nation on earth". He will stay on in Downing Street until the Labor Party elects a new leader - widely expected to be Gordon Brown.



In an emotional speech, Mr Blair said he had been prime minister for 10 years which was "long enough" for the country and himself.



Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is expected to announce he is standing down at a meeting of his local Labor Party in Hull later.



Earlier, Gordon Brown paid tribute to Mr Blair's leadership, praising "his unique achievement over 10 years and the unique leadership he had given to the party, Britain and the world", BBC reports.