ess than a day after Barack Obama claimed the Democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to end her historic presidential campaign while leaving her options open to retain her delegates and promote her issue agenda. The former first lady will officially quit the Presidential race on Friday following Barack Obama's narrow victory over the Democratic nomination yesterday.

"Senator Clinton will be hosting an event in Washington on Friday to thank her supporters and express her support for Senator Obama and party unity," her communications director Howard Wolfson said on Wednesday night. "This event will be held on Saturday to accommodate more of Senator Clinton's supporters who want to attend."

There is increased speculation she will consider a run in 2012

Obama, who clinched the Democratic nomination on Tuesday, earning enough Delegates to claim victory over former first lady turned New York Senator Hillary Clinton, has already announced a team to help select his running mate.

The process of choosing a running mate and potential future Vice President will now begin, with pressure from Clinton supporters to pick the New York Senator.

US media report that Clinton will announce her resignation from the race on Friday, she is believed to have told staff today that their last day was to be Friday. A campaign official said Clinton and her advisers had discussed various ways of ending her candidacy, including suspending it so she could retain control of her delegates to promote health care issues.

Clinton said last night that she was yet to make up her mind about her campaign amid speculation she would angle for the Vice Presidential post. Other options include freeing her delegates to back Obama and ending her candidacy unconditionally, the official said.

Despite losing the 2008 Democratic candidacy, all eyes are on Clinton's next move to see what support she gives Barack Obama. Earlier, Mr Obama had paid tribute to Mrs Clinton and hinted that she would play a role in any future Obama administration.