Russian President Vladimir Putin has nominated financial intelligence chief Viktor Zubkov as candidate for prime minister on Wednesday, hours after he dissolved the government at the request of Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov.

Russia's State Duma, the lower house of the parliament, may gather for an urgent session next week to consider the candidate for prime minister, said First Deputy Speaker Oleg Morozov.

According to Russian law, the president will appoint a new prime minister after reaching an agreement with the State Duma, which will consider the presidents candidate within a week after it is submitted to the Lower House.

Fradkov told Putin in a meeting that his request was related to the upcoming parliament and presidential elections and he hope "to give the president a free hand in decision-making, including personnel appointments," Itar-Tass reported.

Putin also thanked Fradkov for his work and asked him to stay in office until the State Duma has approved of his successor.

The parliament election was slated for early December and the presidential election was expected to be held next March.

The 57-year-old Fradkov was appointed as prime minister in 2004.

(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2007)