Australia's Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has resigned amid widespread reports of a leadership tussle between him and Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Kevin Rudd says he would consult with his family and community on his futureHe made the announcement at a press conference in Washington DC, where he had earlier met US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

There has been ongoing tension in the Labor Party in recent weeks over the leadership.

Ms Gillard ousted Mr Rudd as prime minister in June 2010.

"The simple truth is that I cannot continue to serve as foreign minister if I don't have Prime Minister Gillard's support," he said late Tuesday night at the press conference in the US, which was broadcast live in Australia.

"I therefore believe the only honourable course of action is for me to resign."

He did not say if he would be challenging Ms Gillard for the leadership, but confirmed that he would leave the US the next day, arriving home in Brisbane on Friday morning.

He said he would not be involved in a "stealth（秘密） attack on a sitting prime minister".

"We all know that what happened then was wrong and it must never happen again," he said, referring to how he was ousted.

Mr Rudd said he would consult with his family and community before making an announcement about his future.

He would do so before parliament returned next week, he said.

beach wedding dresses