Moscow, 5 September 1996 (RFE/RL) -- A political party backing Russian national security chief Aleksandr Lebed was formally set up in Russia today.
The party "Truth and Order," named after Lebed's electoral campaign slogan, declared its single aim as electing the security chief to the presidency.
Lebed has previously said that he sees himself as the next president of Russia.
The party is the result of the merger of three small movements, including the Congress of Russian Communities, which backed Lebed in last December's parliamentary elections. The other movements are Honor and Motherland, which helped organize Lebed's presidential bid, and the Democratic Party of Sergei Glazyev.
Lebed, who is currently in Chechnya, has no formal position within the party although its members say it was created at his request. Lebed is expected shortly to be elected as its leader.
Correspondents say the party appears to be positioning itself, as Lebed did in June's presidential elections, in a centrist position with an emphasis on strong law and order.
The party "Truth and Order," named after Lebed's electoral campaign slogan, declared its single aim as electing the security chief to the presidency.
Lebed has previously said that he sees himself as the next president of Russia.
The party is the result of the merger of three small movements, including the Congress of Russian Communities, which backed Lebed in last December's parliamentary elections. The other movements are Honor and Motherland, which helped organize Lebed's presidential bid, and the Democratic Party of Sergei Glazyev.
Lebed, who is currently in Chechnya, has no formal position within the party although its members say it was created at his request. Lebed is expected shortly to be elected as its leader.
Correspondents say the party appears to be positioning itself, as Lebed did in June's presidential elections, in a centrist position with an emphasis on strong law and order.