UPDATE - Theresa May to become UK PM

UPDATED WITH MAY’S FIRST PUBLIC REMARKS, REWRITES THROUGHOUT

LONDON (AA) – Theresa May said she was “honored and humbled” Monday after it was confirmed she would become Britain’s next prime minister within 48 hours.

May was declared the winner of the governing Conservative Party’s leadership contest after her only rival, junior Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom, announced earlier on Monday that she was withdrawing from the race.

In her first public remarks since being confirmed leader, May pledged to “negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU and to forge a new role for ourselves in the world.”

“Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it,” she said outside parliament in central London on Monday afternoon.

“We need a strong, new, positive vision for the future of our country. A vision of a country that works not for the privileged few, but that works for every one of us, because we’re going to give people more control over their lives,” she added.

It prompted outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron, who announced after last month’s EU membership referendum that he intended to step down, to say that a prolonged transition to his successor was no longer necessary.

“I’m also delighted that Theresa May will be the next prime minister,” he said in brief remarks to reporters outside his official residence in London.

“She is strong, she is competent, she is more than able to provide the leadership our country is going to need in the years ahead and she will have my full support,” he added.

Cameron had planned to remain in office until the Conservative leadership contest concluded on Sept. 9 but will now offer his resignation to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II after a final appearance in parliament Wednesday afternoon.