Rumsfeld to stay at the Pentagon

Donald Rumsfeld

Overcoming criticism about his handling of Iraq, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has won a strong vote of confidence from President George W. Bush and will remain at the Pentagon.

It settles one of the last big questions about who goes and who stays in the second-term Cabinet.

Rumsfeld's future was sealed in an Oval Office meeting with Bush on Tuesday but not announced until the weekend.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced he was leaving, meaning eight members of Bush's 15-person Cabinet have said they will depart.