Oslo - Norwegian parliament speaker Thorbjorn Jagland said Tuesday he was to leave Norwegian politics, opting to stand as a candidate for secretary general of the Council of Europe.

The veteran Social Democrat, who has also held the posts of prime minister and foreign minister, hoped to succeed Terry Davis of Britain who was slated to step down next year.

Jagland, 58, said the Council of Europe was a key part of the European political and security system along with the European Union, NATO and the Organization of Cooperation and Security (OSCE).

The 47-nation Council of Europe was founded in 1949. Its aims include to safeguard human rights. (dpa)