Swedish defence minister stepping down-media

STOCKHOLM, Sept 5 (Reuters) Swedish Defence Minister Mikael Odenberg is stepping down and will be replaced by the country's trade minister, local media reported today.

Swedish news agency TT reported that Trade Minister Sten Tolgfors would become the next defence minister.

A Defence Ministry official declined comment on the reports while officials at the Trade Ministry were not immediately available for comment.

The Defence Ministry has scheduled a news conference for 1630 ist.

Broadcaster SVT and TT reported that Odenberg had recently sparred with Finance Minister Anders Borg over cuts Borg wanted to make to the defence budget.

Tolgfors had been scheduled to participate in the launch of Sweden's Chamber of Commerce in Mumbai, India, today but cancelled his appearance in order to be in Sweden.

Odenberg has been in parliament since 1991. He worked as group leader of Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's Moderate Party between 2003 and 2006 and has worked as vice chairman for the financial committee.

REUTERS LPB RK1638