A Lithuanian parliamentary investigation into claims that President Rolandas Paksas's office has links to Russian mobsters said today he was a threat to national security, paving the way for his impeachment by parliament.
The report, to be discussed in parliament tomorrow, was made public after weeks of political turmoil over the scandal in the Baltic country, due to enter the European Union and NATO next year.
"Considering the president's status and responsibility, his vulnerability poses a threat to national security," said the report, copies of which were handed to reporters in parliament.
Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, head of a centre-left majority coalition who is seen as holding the key to Mr Paksas's future, sought to remain neutral before the report was released.
But today he finally came off the fence and told Mr Paksas to quit.
"If I was the president, I would resign," he told reporters this evening, but added: "I agree with the commission's conclusions in general, except for one thing: there is not a threat to national security."
The head of the probe, Mr 1Aloyzas Sakalas, also said it was time for Mr Paksas to assume responsibility and resign.
Mr Paksas denies wrongdoing and has repeatedly refused to leave.