Goh, who stood down for Lee in August, said the nation's current third generation of leaders must use their time in power to nuture a fourth group that would continue the city-state's tradition of stable leadership transitions.

"I expect Lee Hsien Loong and his cohort of ministers to lead Singapore for the next 10 to 15 years," the Straits Times quoted Goh as telling a conferencve of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) on Sunday.

"When they are ready to step down, there must be a group of younger ministers ready to take over the leadership of the party and government."

Goh, 63, was making his comments as he relinquished his post as the PAP's secretary general, which he was due to do following his handing over of power to Lee.

Singapore's two deputy prime ministers, Tony Tan, 64, and Shunmugam Jayakumar, 65, also stepped down on Sunday from their respective positions as PAP chairman and vice-chairman as part of the party's renewal process.

Lee, 52, will replace Goh as PAP secretary general after its central executive committee meets to officially choose its office holders.

Lee's father and PAP founder, Lee Kuan Yew, led Singapore to independence in 1965 and remained prime minister until he stepped aside for Goh in 1990.

Goh's 14-year reign was seen as Singapore's "second leadership generation", during which the younger Lee was groomed to take over.

The elder Lee remains officially the third most powerful member of the Cabinet with the title of Minister Mentor. Goh is second in the ranks behind the younger Lee as Senior Minister.

The PAP continues to nearly totally dominate Singapore's political system and holds all but two of the 84 seats in parliament after winning the last national elections in 2001 with 75.29 percent of the vote.

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