Lithuania's Kirkilas named PM by President Adamkus

VILNIUS, June 29 (Reuters) Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus today nominated as the country's next prime minister Gediminas Kirkilas, who is the Baltic state's acting defence minister.

Kirkilas, who is also deputy chairman of the Social Democrats, is expected now to bring his party to the negotiating table with other smaller parties in an attempt to form a coalition government.

The announcement follows the rejection by parliament last week of Social Democrats' senior politician Zigmantas Balcytis as prime ministerial candidate. The previous government fell suddenly on May 31 due to a corruption scandal involving two government ministers misspending party and government funds.

REUTERS SY DS1253