North Ossetia Presidential election

The people of the Russian republic of North Ossetia have elected a former communist leader, Aleksandr Dzasokhov, as their new President.

Mr Dzasokhov easily defeated the long serving incumbent of the post, Akhsarbek Galazov.

Both men were regarded as having good relations with Moscow.

Correspondents say the most urgent task of the new President will be improving relations with its neighbour in the north Caucasus, Ingushetia, with which North Ossetia fought a short but bloody war in 1992.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service