Putin accepts resignation of security council secretary

President Vladimir Putin today accepted the resignation of Igor Ivanov as secretary of Russia’s Security Council.

Ivanov, a former foreign minister, was reported to have submitted his resignation in early July. A presidential decree accepting his letter of resignation was to be issued by the Kremlin later today, a source in the council told The Associated Press.

He has expressed frustration about his diminished political influence, Russian newspapers have reported. Under his predecessors, the Security Council, which advises the president, wielded considerable authority.

Igor Ivanov was appointed in 2004 to replace Sergei Ivanov, now a first deputy prime minister seen as a leading candidate to succeed Putin next year.