Kremlin sources: Abdulaev to replace Aliev as President of Dagestan by February 1

The President's decree is expected by February 1 on replacing the current President of the Republic Dagestan Mukhu Aliev, 70, by Magomed Abdulaev, 48. This was stated by a source from Russian President's retinue.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that although the deadline for announcing by Dmitri Medvedev of the name of the new president of Dagestan was January 21, no official appointment was announced. No explanations of the top-level protraction were given. However, the National Assembly of Dagestan is full of rumours that the President has been appointed but not disclosed yet.

The "Novaya Gazeta" wrote that local deputies were talking about appointment of Magomed Abdulaev, who, allegedly goes in tandem with the would-be prime minister - Deputy Magomedsalam Magomedov.

While talking to journalists of the "Vedomisti" newspaper the Kremlin source, a member of the "Edinaya Rossiya" Party, reminded the recent resignation of Mintimer Shaimiev, 73, leader of Tatarstan. President Medvedev said then that "the fourth term is an exclusion; we'll now move to quicker liberating benches for the youth."