Hillary Clinton is due to hold a private party to say an emotional thank you to campaign staff as she suspends her 16-month run for the US presidency.

Her office has confirmed that Senator Clinton will officially step down on Saturday at noon (1600GMT) at the National Building Museum in Washington.

The news comes amid speculation about who Democratic nominee Barack Obama will choose as his running partner.

He held a private meeting with his defeated rival on Thursday.

Campaign aides said little about the meeting - which was ostensibly aimed at promoting party unity - but Mrs Clinton has distanced herself from reports that she was hoping to stand as Mr Obama's vice-presidential running mate.

Intense pressure

The Illinois senator clinched the nomination after primaries in Montana and South Dakota on Tuesday.

A statement from Mrs Clinton's campaign on Thursday said: "While Senator Clinton has made clear throughout this process that she will do whatever she can to elect a Democrat to the White House, she is not seeking the vice presidency."

It adds: "The choice here is Senator Obama's and his alone."

In her speech on Saturday, the former first lady is expected to thank her supporters and urge Democrats to unite behind Mr Obama in order to help him defeat Republican rival John McCain in November's election.

The Illinois senator, under intense pressure from Clinton backers to choose her as his running mate, has announced a team to help him make his selection and said he will not be rushed.

The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Washington says that if Mr Obama were to choose her as his running mate, this could be seen as a tactical move to win over the almost 18m people who cast their votes for Mrs Clinton.

Mr McCain has challenged Mr Obama to take part in debates in 10 town hall meetings before the Democratic convention in August. The Obama team is said to be considering the invitation.

(BBC)

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