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Colombia defense minister resigns

BOGOTA, Colombia -- Colombia's Defense Minister Luis Fernando Ramirez has resigned.

A spokesman for President Andres Pastrana's office said Ramirez had tended his resignation late Friday and it had been accepted.

His letter of resignation offered no motive for standing down but he has recently spoken of taking a job in the private sector.

It also follows calls from sectors of the Conservative Party for the 42-year-old economist to stand as its candidate in next year's presidential election.

Development Minister Augusto Ramirez Ocampo resigned Thursday to prepare his own bid for the position.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Fernando Tapias, Colombia's top military officer, is to take over as acting defense minister.

Ramirez had been in the position since mid-1999 and led a modernization drive, replacing equipment and building up the number of soldiers.

The ministry is an important one in Colombia, leading the fight against leftist rebels and drug traffickers.