Chilean president accepts resignation of minister

Chilean President Ricardo Lagos has accepted the resignation of Labor Minister Ricardo Solari and appointed his deputy Yerko Ljubetic as the successor, local media reported Saturday.

Solari said in his resignation letter that he gave up his responsibilities of a cabinet minister to command the campaign of former defense minister Michelle Bachelet, who is seeking the presidential candidacy of the ruling coalition, the reports said.

Ljubetic will be sworn in Monday as new labor minister and namehis deputy minister.

Last Tuesday, Deputy Education Minister Maria Ariadna Hornkohl resigned to join the campaigning team of another presidential candidate Soledad Alvear.

Alvear, a former foreign minister, and Bachelet are both seeking the presidential candidacy of the ruling Coalition of Parties for Democracy for December's elections.

Source: Xinhua