Chen set to name ally as 'premier'

Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian has signalled he will continue his hardline policy toward the mainland during the rest of his final term by naming a loyalist as his new "premier", mainland researchers have said.

In a surprise move, Taiwan "premier" Su Tseng-chang resigned on Saturday, days after he was defeated by former "premier" Frank Hsieh in the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's "presidential" primary.

Su said he had resigned to allow Chen more room to plot new strategies ahead of the March 2008 "presidential" race.