Laos leader replaced

The prime minister of Laos Sisavath Keobounphanh has been replaced by the finance minister and deputy prime minister Bounyang Vorachit in a cabinet reshuffle.

Correspondents say that either Laos wants to signal to the outside world that the new generation of leaders is willing to reform the economy, or that it is simply trying to attract foreign donors.

Khamtay Siphandone has retained his post as President of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service