The Brazilian defence minister, Elcio Alvares, has been dismissed following a scandal linking one of his senior advisors to drug-trafficking and organised crime.

Mr Alvares announced he was stepping down following a meeting with the president, Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

He was sharply criticised for failing to act swiftly enough when his former chief of staff Solange Atunes Rezende was accused of having links to drug smugglers.

Mr Alvares, a former senator, was appointed seven months ago as the first civilian in charge of the armed forces, which ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985.

He's to be replaced by the current Attorney General, Geraldo Magela Quintao.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service