Clark quits US presidential race

Clark had only captured one state

Retired US general Wesley Clark has announced he is withdrawing from the race to become the Democratic candidate in November's presidential election.

Speaking in his home town of Little Rock in Arkansas, General Clark said he had neither the voter support nor the campaign funds to continue.

The move leaves five men still chasing the nomination, with Senator John Kerry enjoying a commanding lead.

On Tuesday, Mr Kerry scored two strong victories, in Virginia and Tennessee.

He has now won in 12 of the 14 states so far contested.

LATEST RESULTS SO FAR VIRGINIA (99% counted): Kerry - 52% Edwards - 27% Clark - 9% TENNESSEE (96% counted): Kerry - 41% Edwards - 27% Clark - 23% Dean - 4% Sharpton - 2% Election calendar Candidates and issues Delegates allotted so far

"Today I end my campaign for the presidency, but our party's campaign to change America is just beginning," Mr Clark said.

He called John Kerry and his other two main rivals, Howard Dean and John Edwards, "good men, good Democrats and good patriots".

But he turned his fire on President Bush, saying he would "do everything I can to make sure George W Bush does not get away with playing politics with national security".

He criticised Mr Bush for getting the military "bogged down in the wrong war - a war we didn't have to fight".

Mr Clark had won just one of the caucuses and primaries held so far, in the state of Oklahoma.

Senator Kerry said in a statement: "General Clark ran a campaign that he and his family should be proud of.

"He reminded Democrats of the importance of national security as we face a wartime president who has run a reckless foreign policy."

Mr Dean, Senator Edwards and the remaining candidates will face John Kerry in Wisconsin next Tuesday, in a showdown which could also seal their fate.

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Most delegates who vote for a candidate at the national presidential nominating convention are allocated according to a candidate's support in state-wide caucuses or polls; some delegates are assigned for party leaders and elected officials to allocate.

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