The new prime minister-designate of the Bosnian Serb republic, Brano Miljus, has been expelled by his own party.

A statement by the executive of the moderate, Independent Social Democrats said it had taken the action because Mr Miljus accepted the mandate to form a new government without authority from the party.

The decision has to be confirmed by the full party leadership.

The current prime minister, Milorad Dodik, is the party leader and has the backing of the West and international officials implementing the Bosnian peace accord.

The hardline president, Nikola Poplasen, who was elected in September, has been trying to replace him, but his previous nominee, Dragan Kalilnic of the ultra- nationalist SDS party, could not secure sufficient support in parliament.