Speaking to reporters outside his house, Newt Gingrich said that keeping the Republican majority in Congress and winning the presidency in the year 2000 would take every ounce of the party's effort and he did not want to be a distraction.

Newt Gingrich: "I don't blame anyone"

"For me to stay in the House would make it impossible for a new leader to have a chance to grow, to learn and to do what they need to do," he said.

Time for a clear-out

He said it was vital the party worked together to select a new leader and did not cannibalise itself.

The Republican leader has taken much of the blame for the party's unexpectedly lacklustre performance in the elections, the worst performance in 34 years by a party not in control of the White House.

Republicans says it was his failure to outline a coherent agenda for this year's elections which led to their loss of seats last week.

Tom Carver: Newt Gingrich took the blame for election failure

"I'm not blaming anyone," Mr Gingrich told reporters on Saturday, "I take responsibility."

The party is said to be deeply divided with moderates and extreme right-wingers drawing different lessons from the mid-term failure.

Lost direction

Bob Livingson: 'Time for change'

Mr Gingrich was accused of losing sight of the Republican tax-cutting agenda and underestimating public weariness with the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

"We didn't understand that people would frankly just get fed up with the existence of the topic," Mr Gingrich admitted.

Before Mr Gingrich announced his decision on Friday senior Republican congressman Bob Livingston said he intended to challenge him for the Speaker's post.

"Revolutionising takes some talents, many talents," he said in praise of Mr Gingrich. "Day-to-day governing takes others."

Bob Livingston: "We want politicians with ideas that work"

Mr Livingston, who is chairman of the powerful appropriations committee of the House, said he wanted to change the party's management style.

Christopher Cox of California has also announced his intention to seek the position and Jim Talent of Missouri is reported to be considering his candidacy.

But Bill Archer of Texas, who said on Friday that he was considering running for the post has dropped out.