Paris  - Robert Menard, the co-founder and secretary general of press-freedom advocacy group Reporters Sans Frontieres, or Reporters Without Borders, announced he was stepping down Friday.

"I am giving up my office, but naturally I am remaining a member of the organization. I have dedicated 23 years to Reporters Sans Frontieres and will continue to make my contribution to the fight," the 55-year-old told the group's International Council in Paris.

Jean-Francois Julliard, who has worked at Menard's side for 10 years, has been named as his successor.

Menard founded Reporters Sans Frontieres in 1985 with three other journalists and has been secretary general of the organization since 1990.

Under his leadership, the group has campaigned for press freedom from Cuba to Algeria and Russia.

The organization made headlines earlier this year with its protests against the Olympic flame's relay through Paris.

In 2005, Menard was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European Parliament. (dpa)