COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina's first lady says Gov. Mark
Sanford's actions are ``inexcusable'' but she is willing to forgive
him.

Jenny Sanford on Thursday made her first public statement since her husband revealed in Associated Press interviews that he believes his Argentine mistress is his soul mate but he is trying to fall back in love with his wife.

In her statement, Jenny Sanford says it is up to her husband to save their 20-year marriage. She says she is still angry with him and he will deal with the consequences of his actions for a long while.

The first lady says Mark Sanford must regain the trust of his family and the people of South Carolina, but she makes no guarantee he will be able to do it.

The governor plans to leave Friday morning to spend the holiday weekend with his wife and four sons in Florida.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)