Chuck Hagel resigns as US defence chief

Chuck Hagel, US defence secretary, has resigned after 21 months in office.

Officials said the decision was reached in light of the the threat from the militant group Islamic State and the different skills it would require from those that Hagel was brought in to employ.

Announcing the resignation on Monday, President Barack Obama commended Hagel, describing him as “no ordinary defence secretary” who had “been in the dirt” of combat like no other defence chief.

Obama praised the outgoing defence secretary’s role in responding to the challenges of Ebola and Islamic State.

According to New York Times, the resignation came after discussions between Obama and Hagel, during which the two men “mutually agreed” that it was time for Hagel to leave.

“When I asked Chuck to serve as secretary of defence, we were entering a significant period of transition: the drawdown in Afghanistan, the need to prepare our forces for future missions and tough fiscal choices to keep our military strong and ready,” Obama said.

“In October, Hagel came to me to discuss the final quarter of my presidency and determined that having guided the department through this transition, it was an appropriate time for him to complete his service.”

Hagel noted that the defence department had “set the nation on a stronger course toward stability and prosperity” during his tenure, and described the opportunity to serve as defence secretary as the biggest privilege of his life.

“It’s been the greatest privilege of my life to lead, and most important, to serve with the men and women of the Defence Department and support their families. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished during this time,” he said.

The only Republican on the US national security team, Hagel is the first cabinet member to leave office since the Republicans won the senate earlier in November.

However, he will remain in his position until his successor is confirmed.

Hagel succeeded Leon Panetta as defence secretary in February 2013.

Prior to becoming defence chief, he served in Vietnam after which he worked in the public and private sectors.

He was elected senator in 1996, representing the state of Nebraska as a Republican until 2009.