OTTAWA, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Jean Chretien said Tuesday he would step down next month after 10 years as Canada's prime minister and will be replaced by Paul Martin.
Talking with reporters in Ottawa, Chretien, 70, said he and Martin had decided a new Canadian government would be sworn in Dec. 12. Chretien won three consecutive majority victories for the Liberal Party and is the longest-serving Western leader.
Martin, 65, was officially selected Liberal Party leader last weekend. He said he planned to form a Cabinet quickly.
Chretien plans to travel to a meeting of Commonwealth countries Dec. 5-8 in Africa as one of his last acts as prime minister.
Chretien said: "I feel that while the prime minister-to-be will be forming his Cabinet, I will do this part of the job and so that on the 12th he can be the prime minister. I offer him my best wishes and good luck and I will observe from the sideline."
Chretien had announced his intention to retire in August 2002.
