Russia prime minister asks Putin to dismiss government

MOSCOW, Sep 12 (Reuters) Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov has asked President Vladimir Putin to dismiss his government, Russian news agencies reported today.

Fradkov gave as the reasons for his decision ''approaching significant political events in the country and his own desire to give Russia's president full freedom of decision including staff decisions'', TASS news agency said.

Reuters SG GC1629