WASHINGTON (AFP) - The White House warned BP on Monday that any decision to replace under-fire CEO Tony Hayward would not change its obligation to clean up the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and compensate victims.

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"The CEO of BP ... if he makes the decision for him to leave -- that is one thing," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

"What is clear is BP cannot and should not and will not leave the Gulf without meeting its responsibility to plug the well, to clean up the damage that has been caused, and compensate those that have been damaged."

Earlier, British media reported that Hayward was expected to quit imminently with a payoff of up to 18.5 million dollars despite being lambasted over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.