New reshuffles in Belarus government

Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenka on Friday reshuffled the cabinet, appointing former defense minister Leanid Maltsau as the state secretary of the Security Council. Former Security Council state secretary Yury Zhadobin has become a new defense minister. Uladzimir Paluyan has become a new minister for taxes and revenues. Mikalai Snapkou has been appointed as a new economy minister; Aleh Pralyaskouski -- as a new minister of information. Mariana Schotkina has become a new minister of labor and social security.

Mikalai Korbut has become a new head of staff at the Office of the President.

Lukashenka has also approved appointment of Anatol Sikorski as a new chancellor of the Belarusian State Medical University.