Putin finalises government appointments

President Vladimir Putin of Russia has completed the process of forming a government, following his inauguration.

The Russian news agency, Itar-Tass, quoted the presidential press service as saying Mr Putin had signed the final set of decrees on appointments, including that of Alexei Gordeyev as a deputy prime minister and agriculture minister.

Russia's newly-appointed prime minister, Mikhail Kasyanov, has said the government's priority will be to finalise reform of the country's inefficient tax collection system.

Mr Putin was reported two days ago to want parliament the Duma to work into its planned summer recess to push the changes through. The BBC Moscow correspondent says the changes will send a strong signal to Russia's western creditors -- particularly the International Monetary Fund -- that it is serious about economic reform.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service