Jean Chretien was to stand down today as prime minister of Canada, leaving his place, after a decade in power, to his longtime rival Paul Martin.

Chretien, who will be 70 next month, led the Liberal Party to three successive general election triumphs since 1993, to establish himself as one of the country's longest-serving prime ministers.

But a government clearout now looms, as Martin is more conservative and doubts are being raised about many of Chretien's policies.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister John Manley already knows he will not be retained. The makeup of the new cabinet is being kept secret however until Martin and his ministers are sworn in by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson.

Chretien sacked Martin as finance minister in June 2002 because his rival was too openly campaigning for Canada's top post. But once Chretien announced in August 2002 that he would retire, Martin was always the favorite to take over and he has been prime minister in waiting for several months.

Martin and his team will immediately find a lot of unfinished business waiting however.