WASHINGTON. Nov 10: Reflective and partisan by turns, House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Monday night he decided to retire rather than fight for a new term last week because his continued presence would have become an "excuse for divisiveness and factionalism" Inside Republican ranks, reports AP.

"As I leave public office and rejoin the ranks of active citizenship. the venue changes and the cause lives on." said the man who oversaw a Republican majority dedicated to less government and lower taxes.

Gingrich's speech before GOPAC. a Republican organisation he once headed, marked his first extended public appearance since a stunning decision last Friday to give up his high office anef leave Congress after 20 years.

He offered no hint of his future political plans.

The Georgian was received warmly by the audience of about 250. and got a rousing ovation when he displayed his personal copy of the "Contract With America." the campaign manifesto that Republicans rode to their landslide election victory in 1994. "Again and again, calmly, systematically, we kept our word, he said.

Gingrich also used his speech to tick off accomplishments of the last four years — welfare legislation, overhaul of government health care, expanded medical research among them.

"Let me say. without apology, that as Speaker I sought to aggressively lead tov/hrd our go3s and our vision. We never had a big majority, but we stood for big ideas." he said. "And that is what made us different."

Listening in the audience was Rep Bob Livingston, the Louisiana Republican who challenged Gingrich for the speakership on Friday, and then became the overwhelming favourite to succeed him after the Georgian decided to retire.

The next Speaker of the House," Gingrich called Livingston. and urged all Republicans to work with him to prevent a political victory in 2000 by Vice President Al Gore and congressional Democrats.

Gingrich decided to give up his powerful post last week after his party suffered unexpected setbacks in the congressional elections. Only hours af-jer he had assured the rank-and-file that Republicans would gain as many as 30 House seats, the voters decided otherwise.