Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmes has resigned, the cabinet announced in a statement on Thursday.

Wilmes had temporarily stepped down in April to take care of her husband who had been diagnosed with brain cancer.

"My husband's illness will be a difficult battle that I want to fight alongside him and alongside our children," Wilmes said in the statement. "My current duties in government would not allow me to do so."

(With input from Reuters)