David Westin resigning as news head at Disney's ABC

ABC News president David Westin said on Monday he was resigning after 13 years, according to a memo he sent to employees that was released on the network's website.

"I've always admired those few who know when it's time to move on. This is the right time for me," said Westin, who added he would remain in his post through the end of the year.

The New York Times quoted an ABC staff member as saying the decision was tied partly to a long-standing conflict between Westin and ABC management, including parent Walt Disney Co, over the news division's financial situation.

The staff member was quoted as saying that managers at ABC and Disney had pressed Westin to increase profits at the news division and were unhappy with his efforts to reach that goal.

A senior ABC executive quoted by the Times said financial issues relating to news costs did not figure in Westin's resignation.

Earlier this year, ABC News revamped its operations and said it would offer voluntary separation packages to all full-time, US-based, non-union, non-contract employees.

A source familiar with the situation said ABC News hoped to reduce staff by 300 to 400 people, out of a total staff of about 1,500.

Competitors CBS Corp and General Electric's NBC have also cut their news divisions amid weak demand for advertising.

In his statement, Westin said, "Over the last nine months, we've put in place new anchors on all of our programs. At the same time, we went through a very difficult transformation made necessary by changes in our business and its economics.

"I am confident ABC News is better positioned for the future than it has been at any time since I came here in March of 1997."