White House press secretary to step down: report

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs speaks at the daily press briefing in Washington January 5, 2011. Gibbs, one of President Barack Obama's top advisers, is resigning to become an outside political adviser for Obama's re-election campaign as part of a major staff shake-up. Gibbs, 39, a fierce loyalist and defender of the president during near-daily White House news briefings, will leave in early February, aides said. (Xinhua/Reuters)
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs would step down and serve as an outside political adviser to President Barack Obama in his re-election campaign, media reported Wednesday.

In an interview Wednesday morning, the 39-year-old spokesman said he intended to leave the post in early February, the New York Times reported on its website.

"Stepping back will take some adjusting," Gibbs said. "But at the same time, I have a feeling that I will keep myself quite busy, not just with speaking, but continuing to help the president."

A successor had not been decided yet, he said, but would likely be announced within the next two weeks.

Source: Xinhua