Support from overseas mates as flag bearer waves goodbye

"Dr Emerson, presently the Trade Minister, will also take on the foreign affairs job until a permanent replacement is decided". Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

CRAIG EMERSON will take over as the Foreign Affairs Minister after the shock resignation of Kevin Rudd.

Dr Emerson, presently the Trade Minister, will also take on the foreign affairs job until a permanent replacement is decided.

A senior Labor source said a permanent replacement for the position was a long way off.

Mr Rudd declared he was ''deeply proud'' of his work as the country's chief standard bearer.News of Mr Rudd's resignation quickly swept across his network of international confidants. Sweden's Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, said online that Mr Rudd had been a ''good partner on many issues''.

The Canadian Foreign Minister, John Baird, told the Herald he was ''devastated'' to lose Mr Rudd's presence around the table at international meetings. ''Kevin is very highly regarded by his colleagues, always one of the smartest people, well prepared around the table,'' he said.

His decision to quit would appear a blow to Australia's chances of winning a prized seat on the United Nations Security Council later this year, after Mr Rudd made a huge personal commitment to the campaign.

It will also likely reduce Australia's profile in upcoming meeting in Tunis on the conflict in Syria.

Mr Rudd, who worked as a diplomat in Sweden and China before turning to politics, said he had loved the job of foreign affairs minister but could not continue in the role without the confidence of the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and other senior ministers.

Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard have split on a number of key foreign policy issues over the past year, including his championing of military intervention in Libya, support for a Palestinian state and deciding who would run Australia's $223 million overseas television service, Australia Network.

Mr Rudd said he sought to inject a ''responsible Australian voice'' into global debates.

Mr Rudd said the US ambassador, Kim Beazley, would fill his responsibilities in the US capital and the Foreign Affairs secretary, Dennis Richardson, would take his place in meetings in London and Tunis.