White House spokesman Jay Carney steps down
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney is stepping down after three years as Barack Obama's chief spokesman, the president has said.
Mr Carney, a former journalist, will be succeeded by his deputy Josh Earnest.
Mr Carney, 49, previously served as press secretary for Vice-President Joe Biden after leaving Time Magazine.
Mr Obama announced the change in a surprise appearance at the daily White House press briefing, calling Mr Carney one of his "closest friends".
"He came to this place with a reporter's perspective, and that's why, believe it or not, I think he will miss hanging out with you," Mr Obama told reporters.
"I'm going to miss him a lot, and rely on him as a friend, and as an adviser."
The US president quipped that Mr Earnest's name "describes his demeanour".
"You can't find a nicer individual, even outside of Washington," Mr Obama said of Mr Earnest.