MANAGUA, Sept. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Nicaraguan Vice President Jose Rizo Castellon announced his resignation on Tuesday to seek the presidential nomination of the constitutional Liberal Party for the elections next year.

    Rizo told reporters that in the resignation letter, he asked the congress to promptly accept his decision.

    Rizo added he has received support from representatives, mayors,town councilors and many members of the Liberal party, and was not worried that other contenders of the presidential nomination may not accept him.

    Maria Aleman, first secretary of the National Assembly, said as Rizo has presented resignation according to the Electoral Law, the congress will have no problem to accept it.

    Rizo's possible successors are Representative Oscar Moncada, Alfonso Ortega Urbina and dissident of the Blue and White ruling-coalition Jaime Cuadra.

    Rizo became vice president in January 2002. Enditem