White House security official to resign
By Dana Bash
CNN Washington
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Robert Blackwill -- who is White House deputy national security adviser for strategic planning and President Bush's point man on Iraq -- told colleagues at the National Security Council on Friday that he was resigning, according to senior administration officials.
One official said Blackwill had always intended to leave after the presidential election, and informed National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice of his plans a few weeks ago.
He sent an e-mail to National Security Council co-workers Friday announcing his resignation.
Blackwill has been a lead Bush official in helping create the structure for the Iraqi Governing Council and later the interim Iraqi government.
He was rumored to be in the running for national security adviser if Rice were to leave that post.
