Bush's media man sets exit date

Tony Snow is the latest in a series of White House officials to resign

White House press secretary Tony Snow has said he will resign from the high-profile job on 14 September.

He had already announced he would stand down before the end of President George W Bush's term for financial reasons.

Mr Snow, who has been battling cancer, was appointed in April 2006. He will be replaced by his deputy, Dana Perino.

His announcement coincides with the last day at work of Mr Bush's senior strategist Karl Rove. A number of top Bush aides have left in recent months.

Speaking this month, Mr Snow said he needed to make more money than his current government salary allowed, by re-entering the private sector.

The father-of-three said he had taken a pay cut since he joined President Bush's team from Fox News TV in April 2006.

At that time, Mr Bush was coming increasingly under fire for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

'Dream job'

Mr Snow, the president's third chief spokesman in six years, has been notable for his cheerful tone and sharp repartee with reporters at White House briefings.

Dana Perino, Mr Snow's principal deputy, will take over from him

In March this year, doctors discovered a recurrence of his colon cancer, which has forced him to undergo chemotherapy and has taken a physical toll.

Speaking at a press conference on Mr Snow's departure, Mr Bush described him as smart, capable and witty and commended his courage in fighting cancer.

The president also praised Ms Perino, saying she was well able to communicate with the American people and handle the White House press corps.

Mr Snow said he had been honoured to serve in what had been a "dream" job.

Other aides have left since the Democrats took control of Congress in January 2007.

They include counsellor Dan Bartlett, chief White House attorney Harriet Miers, budget director Rob Portman, political director Sara Taylor, deputy national security adviser JD Crouch and Meghan O'Sullivan, another deputy national security adviser who worked on Iraq.