Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a reorganization on the country's Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor to the former KGB, the Interfax news agency reported Wednesday.

Under a decree signed by Putin on Sunday, the director of the secret service will be given the status of minister and the numbers of the deputy directors will be reduced, FSB deputy director Yevgeny Lovyrev said on Wednesday.

The decree allows the agency's chief to have two first deputies-- one of them in charge of the border guards service -- and two deputies, Interfax quoted Lovyrev as saying.

Until recently, FSB Director Nikolai Patrushev had three first deputies and nine deputies.

"This decision will make it possible to distribute powers and duties between the FSB's structural divisions in a clearer manner, as well as make it easier to draft, debate and adopt management decisions more rapidly," Lovyrev was cited as saying.

The FSB director will have a greater say in decision making, and is authorized to decide on the size and makeup of the FSB collegium.

FSB departments will be replaced by units called services, whose leaders will also have more authority than before, Lovyrev said.

The changes are aimed at improving the agency's efficiency and ensuring an adequate response from the organ to threats facing Russia's security, he commented.

Specific suggestions on the FSB's new structure are expected to be available within the next three months to be submitted to the president for approval.

(Xinhua News Agency July 15, 2004)