Putin announces new cabinet

Moscow: Newly appointed Russian Prime Minister Vladmir Putin announced his cabinet line-up on Monday, retaining most key ministers and bringing powerful figures from his previous team.

The new line-up was quickly approved by Putin's successor, President Dmitry Medvedev at a formal meeting.

At a press conference, Putin said Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin will be retain his position, as will Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Former prime minister Viktor Zubkov and Putin ally Igor Shuvalov have been appointed the two first deputy prime ministers.

However, Telecoms Minister Leonid Reiman will no longer be part of the cabinet, and the Industries and Energy Ministry will be split into two separate entities.

New ministries for sport and tourism, and another for ecology will be created.

Top Putin aide, Sergei Sobyanin will also join his former boss to become government chief of staff.

Putin's deputy chief of staff at the Kremlin and one of Russia's most powerful figures, Igor Sechin, will become one of five men appointed deputy prime minister, along with former KGB spy Sergei Ivanov.