1 Oct 2010

Top White House official reportedly about to leave

12:02 pm on 1 October 2010

Speculation is growing in Washington that President Barack Obama is about to lose his White House chief of staff, Rahm Emmanuel.

Reports say Mr Emmanuel will resign on Friday so that he can run for the position of Mayor of Chicago.

The White House has refused to confirm speculation, but said President Barack Obama would make a personnel announcement on Friday.

Mr Emanuel is from Chicago and represented the Illinois 5th district in Congress for six years. The BBC reports he has a reputation for abrasiveness.

Mayor Richard M Daley announced on 7 September that he would be stepping down.

Mr Daley has been mayor of Chicago since 1989, the second-longest to serving the city since his father, the late Richard J Daley.

The BBC reports any decision on a permanent replacement for Mr Emanuel at the White House may not be taken until after November's mid-term elections.