Putin decrees Chechnya direct rule

President Vladimir Putin of Russia has established direct rule over Chechnya.

The move follows several attempts to establish an administration loyal to Moscow in the rebel republic, and continuing international calls for Russia to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Chechen militants.

A new administration with officials appointed rather than elected would answer directly to Mr Putin.

The Russian parliament is being asked to approve the plans, which could last two or three years.

The BBC Moscow Correspondent says the Kremlin needs to restore public confidence after a series of rebel attacks.

Chechen rebels carried out their first suicide bombing against Russian forces yesterday , killing two soldiers. The bombers drove a truck loaded with explosives into a Russian military building near the Chechen capital, Grozny.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service