FAIRBANKS, Alaska, July 27, SPA -- Sarah Palin stepped down as Alaska governor on Sunday, The Associated Press reported. Palin, 45, said she was resigning with more than a yearleft in her first term to take her political battles to alarger if unspecified stage. «With this decision, now, I will be able to fight evenharder for you, for what is right, and for truth. And Ihave never felt that you need a title to do that,» theformer vice presidential candidate said to raucous applausefrom about 5,000 people gathered Sunday at Pioneer Park inFairbanks. Palin called her 2 1/2-year tenure as governor a success,citing efforts to take on the state's long-dominant oilindustry and progress on development of a natural gaspipeline. She also cited ethics reform, but said«ironically, it needs additional reform» to stop partisanand frivolous complaints such as those that have dogged herin the past year.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/687859