Medvedev endorses Putin for 2012 presidential election

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said the current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin should run for the top job in 2012.

Mr Medvedev made the announcement at the United Russia party conference. It comes after months of speculation about which man would stand as candidate for the post.

Mr Putin had already served two terms as president before Mr Medvedev took over in 2008.

Vladimir Putin took to the podium first, announcing that Mr Medvedev should head the United Party's list of candidates for the parliamentary election. President Medvedev accepted the offer.