New Chechen government nominated

The acting prime minister of Chechnya, Shamil Basayev, has presented his nominees for the new government to the parliament in Grozny.

The Chechen president, Aslan Maskhadov, will appoint government ministers after parliament has approved the candidates.

The BBC Russian regional analyst says the new line-up reflects Mr Basayev's desire to bring together people he can rely on to help stamp out crime and corruption.

They include his younger brother Shirvani Basayev in charge of energy - Chechnya's main source of income.

One of Mr Basayev's fellow field commanders from the conflict with Russia , Ruslan Gelayev, has been nominated defence minister.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service