President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has resigned and will leave her post by the end of the year.

Sitting side-by-side in the Oval Office, Trump praised Haley as a "fantastic person" who has "done an incredible job" and said he would gladly welcome her back into his administration down the line.

"She's done a fantastic job and we've done a fantastic job together. We've solved a lot of problems and we're in the process of solving a lot of problems," Trump said.

"She told me probably six months ago, 'You know maybe at end of the year -- at the end of the two year period -- but by the end of the year I want to take a little time off, I want to take a break,'" he added.

Trump said Haley has "been very special to me" and praised her as "somebody that gets it."

Trump also said Haley could have her "pick" of administration posts if she ever decides she wants to rejoin his administration.

"We're all happy for you in one way, but we hate to lose -- hopefully you'll be coming back at some point but in a different capacity. You can have your pick," Trump said as Haley smiled broadly.

The President said he plans to name a successor for the US's top diplomatic post at the United Nations in two to three weeks.

Haley said "it has been an honor of a lifetime" serving as UN ambassador, but that it was time to depart the administration.

"There's no personal reason," she said, explaining her rationale for departing. "It's very important for government officials to understand when it's time to step aside."

"I want to make sure this administration, this president, has the strongest person to fight," she said.

She praised Trump's foreign policy, saying "the US is respected."

Source: CNN

BDST: 2135 HRS, OCT 9, 2018
AP