Moscow, February 02 (QNA) - The Russian Ministry of Defence announced today the appointment of General Lieutenant Igor Korobov to head the Russian military intelligence agency, known as the GRU, following the death of his predecessor in early January.

Russia Today website quoted a source at the Defence Ministry as saying that Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu said Korobov is expected to assume his duties next Friday.

A statement posted on the Kremlin website on January 4 said that head of military intelligence General Igor Sergun, 58, had suffered a "sudden death," but gave no details as to the cause, timing, or circumstances. The state-run news agency TASS said he died on January 3.(QNA)