Julia Gillard calls leadership ballot to end 'squabbling'

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a ballot for the leadership of the Labor party to end a damaging split in the organisation.

She said the ballot would be conducted on Monday, and she herself would be running for the post.

The move comes just hours after the resignation of Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, who is involved in a leadership tussle with Ms Gillard.

Speaking to reporters, she said there has been ''squabbling in the Labor Party'' for ''far too long''.