Cyprus: Finance Minister Quits Amid Bank Probe

Cyprus has appointed a new Finance Minister, just hours after the incumbent resigned amid the launch of an investigation into its dramatic banking sector bailout.

The Greek Cypriot government named Harris Georgiades as the new minister to replace Michael Sarris.

Mr Georgiades will be sworn in on Wednesday, a government statement said.

Mr Sarris resigned after the investigation was ordered into how the country's economy nearly collapsed last month.

President Nicos Anastasiades confirmed he had accepted the resignation of Mr Sarris.

Mr Sarris has faced strong criticism for his handling of Cyprus's negotiations with its international creditors.

He also headed the country's troubled Laiki bank last year in a bid to save it from collapse.

Mr Sarris told reporters he decided to step down to ease the investigation, which was ordered on Tuesday.

He was previously the Labour Minister and Deputy Finance Minister in Cyprus' embattled government, which assumed power barely a month ago.

Cyprus has been given a 10bn euro (£8.5bn) bailout by its European partners and the International Monetary Fund, after its bloated banking sector threatened to destroy the economy.

Large accounts have been hit with a hefty levy and the southern Cypriot banking system endured a forced bank holiday for two weeks amid fears of a run on banks.