One of the longest serving members of the president's cabinet, Mr Holder led the justice department for six years.

 

Mr Holder is the first black US attorney general and has had the fourth longest tenure² in the post in history. 

 

Mr Obama praised his prosecution³ of terrorism suspects, his protection of voting rights, and on other issues.

 

The top law enforcement officer in the US, Mr Holder will remain in the job until his successor is named and confirmed by the Senate. 

 

Mr Obama has not said whom he will nominate to the position.

 

Making the announcement at the White House, Mr Obama praised Mr Holder's record on a number of issues central to his tenure at the White House.

 

He singled out Mr Holder's successful prosecution in civilian⁴ courts of hundreds of terrorism suspects, his fervent⁵ protection of the voting rights of minorities, his push for equal rights for gays and lesbians, and his move for sentencing reform, especially for non-violent drug offences.

 

"He believes, as I do, that justice is not just an abstract theory - it's a living and breathing principle," said Mr Obama, who is a personal friend of Mr Holder. "It's about how our laws interact with our daily lives."

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