Lukashenka Dismisses KGB Chief

Outgoing KGB chief Stsyapan Sukharenka (left) (file photo) (RFE/RL) July 17, 2007 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has dismissed the head of the KGB state security service.

The presidential press service did not give reasons for the dismissal of Stsyapan Sukharenka, who had served as KGB chairman since January 2005.

Lukashenka replaced Sukharenka with Yury Zhadobin, who until now had been chief of the presidential bodyguards.

The new KGB chief was reportedly tasked with submitting proposals for "strengthening the KGB staff" to the president as soon as possible.

(Belta.by, Belapan)