Benin sacking over embassy scam

Biaou is President Kerekou's first corruption-related sacking

Benin's president has sacked his foreign minister on suspicion of links to a corruption scandal.

As a minister, Rogatien Biaou enjoyed immunity from prosecution.

A commission was set up last year by the president to investigate the illegal sale of the land surrounding Benin's embassy in the United States.

It is the first time President Mathieu Kerekou has dismissed a minister suspected of corruption. Mr Biaou has not commented on the allegations.

The BBC's Esther Tola in Cotonou says Mr Biaou is due to be interviewed by police on Thursday.

Mr Kerekou announced the dismissal at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, our reporter says.

"The individual concerned has been placed at the disposal of the commission charged to investigate the matter of the illegal sale of the property of Benin's embassy in the United States," AFP news agency quotes a presidential decree as saying.

At the time of the alleged land sale, Mr Biaou was secretary-general in the foreign ministry. He went on to head the ministry in 2003.

A one-time military leader, President Kerekou is coming to the end of his second term in office.

He is barred by a constitutional age limit from running in presidential polls in March.