The president of Chechnya, Aslan Maskhadov, has appointed a new foreign minister to replace Movladi Udugov.

Mr Udugov -- who was appointed last year -- says the move is part of a wider government reshuffle.

The new minister, Akhiyad Idigov, was formerly head of the parliament's international affairs committee and served as parliamentary chairman during Chechnya's separatist war with Russia.

Mr Idigov, whom correspondents say is a staunch supporter of Chechen independence accompanied President Maskhadov during his talks with the Russian Prime Minister, Yevgeniy Primakov, in Vladikavkaz on Thursday.