U.S. President-elect Barack Obama says he is resigning from the U.S. Senate, effective Sunday.
The incoming president issued a statement Thursday, saying it has been one of the highest honors and privileges of his life to have served the people of Illinois in the Senate.
President-elect Obama also said he is beginning the hard task of fulfilling the simple hopes and common dreams of all Americans as the next U.S. president.
The announcement comes more than one week after the Democratic lawmaker defeated Republican rival and Senate colleague John McCain in the U.S. presidential election.
The resignation means it is now up to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who is also a Democrat, to name Mr. Obama's replacement for the remaining two years of the outgoing senator's term.