Chechen Leader Names New Premier

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov (right) with newly appointed Chechen Prime Minister Magomed Daudov in Grozny.

Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Russian North Caucasus region of Chechnya, has appointed a new prime minister.

The republic's parliament approved Magomed Daudov as prime minister and chief of the presidential administration on May 21.

Kadyrov sacked the republic's government last week.

At a meeting with deputy prime ministers in Grozny on May 17, Kadyrov said he was dismissing the cabinet "due to new challenges in the republic."

Kadyrov also said the government would undergo structural and further personnel changes.

Kadyrov, a former Chechen rebel fighter who has close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has headed the Chechen Republic since February 2007.

With reporting by Interfax