Direct rule in Chechnya

Direct rule could last two or three years

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree imposing direct rule on Chechnya.

Mr Putin will have day-to-day control of military and civilian matters, removing any form of self-government in the region.

A senior Kremlin aide said on Thursday that direct rule could last for two or three years.

Moscow wants to be seen as restoring law and order

Russian troops launched an offensive against separatist rebels in Chechnya last October, in the name of the unity of the Russian state.

But Moscow has failed to crush all rebel activity in the republic, despite capturing the capital Grozny in February.

Sergei Ivanov, secretary of the Russian Security Council which advises the president on security matters, told Interfax news agency on Thursday: "The president has taken upon himself all authority in Chechnya."

The decree must first be approved by the lower house of parliament, the Duma, before it becomes law.

Under the proposal, the government would provide money for an administration which would answer directly to the president. Officials would be appointed rather than elected.

Mr Ivanov said the decision had been taken in response to requests from people living in the North Caucasus, who had asked Moscow not to organise fresh elections in Chechnya.

The move could undermine the prospect of peace talks between Moscow and Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov.

Suicide attacks

The decree follows several attacks by rebel fighters. On Wednesday, suicide bombers attacked a Russian army base in Chechnya - the first such strike in the conflict.

The rebels said that up to 27 soldiers were killed when two women drove a truck laden with high explosives into an army base at Alkhan-Yurt, 12km (7 miles) south-west of the regional capital Grozny.

But Moscow said only two men had been killed and five wounded.