Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Thursday he has resigned following a rift with President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

"I have submitted a resignation letter [to Megawati]," he told a press conference.

Media reports say Megawati in recent weeks had excluded Yudhoyono from cabinet meetings and had failed to consult him on security matters, apparently because of his decision to contest the presidency this July.