Latvian defense minister resigns

RIGA, December 22 (RIA Novosti, Yury Guralnik) - Latvian Defense Minister Einars Repse said following discussions with the president that he had submitted his resignation, the presidential press secretary said Thursday.

Repse was forced to resign after the country's anti-corruption body had opened an investigation into his real estate deals.

Press Secretary Atis Lots said the resignation of the defense minister, also the leader of the Baltic country's largest parliamentary faction, New Time, will not lead to a government crisis.