The wife of Bob Dole, the Republican challenger of President Clinton in the 1996 presidential election in the United States, has resigned as head of the American Red Cross.

Elisabeth Dole, who'd held the post for just under eight years, has been widely expected to seek the Republican party's nomination for the race next year.

However, in her resignation speech she said she had yet to make a final decision.

Mrs Dole is the only woman in American history to have held two cabinet posts under Presidents Reagan and Bush.

If nominated, she'd be the first woman to fight a presidential election in the US.

On New Year's day, the US Vice President, Al Gore, became the first official candidate for the election.