VILNIUS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic will serve as acting defense minister following the dismissal of Dovile Sakaliene, according to the president's office on Wednesday.
"Acting in accordance with the Constitution and following a proposal from Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene, President Gitanas Nauseda signed a decree dismissing Dovile Sakaliene from the post of defense minister," the office said.
The decree, which takes effect on Thursday, appoints Kondratovic to temporarily assume the role.
After meeting with Nauseda on Wednesday, Ruginiene said she had initiated the decision to dismiss Sakaliene.
The prime minister cited shaken confidence in Sakaliene following an informal briefing last week at the Defense Ministry for analysts and opinion leaders. ■
