ABC's Charles Gibson Steps Down From "World News"

Charles Gibson announced Wednesday that he will be stepping down from his anchor position on "World News" at the end of the year. Diane Sawyer, an anchor for "Good Morning America" since 1999 will be his replacement starting in January 2010.

Charles Gibson will be retiring from full-time work and will return to contribute to ABC News, but in what role is still being discussed.

Gibson started anchoring on "World News" in 2006, after the death of Peter Jennings. Gibson told ABC News in an e-mail to "World News" staff, "It has not been an easy decision to make. This has been my professional home for almost 35 years. And I love this news department, and all who work in it, to the depths of my soul."

Diane Sawyer will be the second woman in the anchor seat for evening news joining CBS's Katie Couric.