WASHINGTON: US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel resigned from his post on Monday and while announcing his decision he referred to his efforts to prepare Afghan national security forces for a successful transition in Kabul.

But neither he nor President Obama, who jointly announced the resignation at a White House news conference, said why he was stepping down.

Secretary Hagel was the only Republican in President Obama’s cabinet.

“As the president noted, I have today submitted my resignation as Secretary of Defence,” Mr Hagel said. “I am immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished during this time.”

President Obama, who spoke before Mr Hagel, said that last month his outgoing defence secretary came to him to discuss the final quarter of his presidency and also informed him that he wanted to step down.

“Determined that having guided the department through this transition, (he said) it was an appropriate time for him to complete his service,” Mr Obama said. “Let me just say that Chuck is and has been a great friend of mine.”

Mr Hagel took credit for preparing the Afghan military for taking over security responsibilities after the withdrawal of US combat troops.

“We have prepared ourselves, as the president has noted, our allies and Afghan national security forces, for successful transition in Afghanistan,” he said.

The 68-year-old defence secretary said he would stay on the job “every day, every moment” until his successor was nominated and confirmed by the Senate.

“It’s been the greatest privilege of my life to lead, and most importantly, to serve,” he added.

“For nearly two years Chuck has been an exemplary Defence Secretary,” said President Obama.

He highlighted Mr Hagel’s status as the first enlisted combat veteran to head the Defence Department which gave him a unique bond with troops.

“He stood they stood. He’s been in the dirt. He’s been in the mud,” Mr Obama said. “And that has established a special bond. He sees himself in them. They see themselves in him.”

Mr Hagel spoke for just over five minutes. He received about 30 seconds of applause from the administration officials on hand.

After finishing his remarks, President Obama hugged Mr Hagel, who then turned towards the audience and bowed. Mr Hagel arrived at the Pentagon in February 2013 during a period of belt-tightening and disengagement for the military, but ended up leading new fights against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Vice President Joe Biden, National Security Adviser Susan Rice; General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Attorney General Eric Holder were among officials who attended the event.

Later, White House officials told reporters that Mr Hagel began speaking with President Obama about leaving in early October.

While discussing Mr Hagel’s resignation, Mr Obama also asked other top administration officials whether they would stay on for the last two years of his presidency, the officials said.

The US media reported that Michèle A. Flournoy, a former under secretary of Defence for policy, might replace Mr Hagel.

She was runner-up for the slot when Mr Obama selected Mr Hagel in early 2013.

Other possible candidates include Senator Jack Reed, a defence specialist and a former officer with the Army’s 82nd Airborne; and Ashton B. Carter, a former deputy secretary of Defence.

Published in Dawn, November 25th , 2014