Putin says PM Zubkov in running for presidency RIA

MOSCOW, Sep 14 (Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin said today there were five people who could stake a claim to succeeding him and that new Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov was one of them, RIA news agency reported.

''Today there are already at least five people who could stake a claim to the post of president and who could be elected. It is good that one other person has come along, and that Russian citizens will have people to choose from,'' Putin was quoted as saying soon after parliament confirmed Zubkov as prime minister.

Putin did not name the other possible contenders.

REUTERS SBC PM1827