Will Not Join Donald Trump's Administration, Says Close Friend Rudy Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York and an early backer of Donald Trump, has withdrawn his name from consideration for any position in Trump's administration, the presidential transition team has said.

Mr Giuliani was on the President-elect's shortlist for Secretary of State.

According to a statement by the Trump team, Mr Giuliani apprised Mr Trump of his withdrawl at a meeting on November 29. He sent a letter to Mr Trump, who declined to accept at that time but accepted it later after being asked by Mr Giuliani to withdraw his name.

Mr Giuliani said that the decision was "not about me" and he joined the campaign because for his love for the country.

He said he has known Donald Trump as a friend for 28 years and observing what he has been able to accomplish, he had no doubt he would be a great President.

"It is about what is best for the country and the new administration. Before I joined the campaign I was very involved and fulfilled by my work with my law firm and consulting firm, and I will continue that work with even more enthusiasm," he said.

"From the vantage point of the private sector, I look forward to helping the President-elect in any way he deems necessary and appropriate," he added.

Mr Trump called Mr Giuliani a "close personal friend" whom he would continue to call upon for advice while in office.

"Rudy Giuliani is an extraordinarily talented and patriotic American. I will always be appreciative of his 24/7 dedication to our campaign after I won the primaries and for his extremely wise counsel," Trump said.

"He is and continues to be a close personal friend, and as appropriate, I will call upon him for advice and can see an important place for him in the administration at a later date," the 70-year-old president-elect said.

Mr Giuliani will remain the Vice Chairman of the Presidential transition team led by Vice President-elect Mike Pence.

"Rudy would have been an outstanding member of the Cabinet in several roles, but I fully respect and understand his reasons for remaining in the private sector," Mr Trump said.