LONDON - A JUNIOR British foreign minister announced on Tuesday he will resign in coming weeks, but insisted he remained loyal to embattled Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his government.

Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, the minister for Africa, Asia and the United Nations and a former UN deputy secretary-general, said he was quitting at the end of July for 'strong personal and family reasons.'

The move will be seen as a blow to Mr Brown after a string of ministers announced last month they were quitting as the premier tried to reassert his authority with a Cabinet reshuffle in the wake of an MPs' expenses scandal.

Mr Brown's ruling Labour Party is widely tipped to lose a general election to the opposition Conservatives that must be held by the middle of next year.

'I have always said that I would not do this job forever.�And I have strong personal and family reasons for moving on at this time,' Lord Malloch-Brown said in a statement.

He added: 'My decision to step down at the end of July is not in any way a commentary on the political situation. I greatly admire the prime minister and continue to support him and his government.

'I joined the government at his invitation to help promote his international priorities. It has been a great privilege to do that, and to work with him and with (Foreign Secretary) David Miliband.'

Lord Malloch-Brown was appointed in June 2007 after Mr Brown took over from his predecessor Tony Blair, and the prime minister thanked him in a statement for his 'outstanding work' and 'passion for his work'.

Lord Malloch-Brown reportedly played a key role in preparing the G-20 summit in April when Mr Brown took a leading role in attempting to tackle the world economic crisis. -- AFP