New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- Tim Cook has signed off as Apple CEO with an emotional final memo to employees, thanking the company's workforce and reflecting on his years leading the technology giant.

In the message, Cook said his departure from the CEO role was a moment he had always known would arrive, but admitted that it was still difficult to believe it had come.

"I love this company and the team behind it," Cook wrote, describing serving as Apple's leader as "the privilege of a lifetime".

Reflecting on his tenure, Cook said whatever success he had achieved as CEO was largely because of Apple's employees.

"The truth is, whatever there is to say about my success, I know it is all because of you," he wrote.

Cook praised Apple's workforce ...