New Czech government named

The Czech prime minister-designate, Josef Tosovsky, has announced his proposed cabinet.

Two of the senior posts have been retained by ministers from the former government of Vaclav Klaus: Ivan Pilip remains finance minister and Jaroslav Sedivy has be chosen for the post of foreign minister.

Reports from Prague say President Vaclav Havel is returning from holiday on Friday to swear-in the three-party coalition government.

Correspondents say the new government is expected to take a caretaker role pending fresh elections next year.

Mr Klaus resigned as prime minister last month following a scandal over political funding.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service