Clinton resigns as US secretary of state

Hillary Rodham Clinton has formally resigned as the 67th United States
secretary of state, capping a four-year tenure in the office that saw
her travel extensively across the world asthe country's top diplomat.


In a letter sent to President Barack Obama on Friday shortly before
she was to leave the State Department for the last time in her
official capacity, Clinton thanked the president for the opportunity
to serve in his administration.


Clinton said it had been an honour to be part of his cabinet and that
she remained convinced of the "strength and staying power" of the US'
global leadership.


"I am more convinced than ever in the strength and staying power of
America's global leadership and our capacity to be a force for good in
the world," she said in the letter.


Clinton shattered records for the number of countries visited by a US
secretary of state. The former First Lady, once considered a divisive
figure in American politics, leaves office as one of its most popular.
But she remained coy about whether she would run for president in
2016.


"I am making no decisions, but I would nevergive that advice to
someone that I wouldn't take myself," she said in an interview with
The Associated Press on Thursday.


"If you believe you can make a difference, notjust in politics, in
public service, in advocacy around all these important issues, then
you have to be prepared to accept that you are not going to get 100
percent approval."


Her resignation became effective at 4pm localtime on Friday, when
Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan swore in John Kerry as the new top
US diplomat. The former senator and 2004 Democratic presidential
candidate is the 68th secretary of state.


"I'm just very, very honored to be sworn in and I'm very anxious to
get to work," Kerry told reporters after the private ceremony at the
Capitol. "I'll be reporting Monday morningat nine o'clock to do my
part," he said, but refused to say what global hotspot he would visit
first.