(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-04-14 00:07

MOSCOW - Russia's ruling party will invite outgoing President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to be its chairman, the party's leader said Monday.

"We will officially offer Vladimir Putin the party's chairmanship tomorrow," United Russia party leader Boris Gryzlov was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying on the eve of the party's congress.

The pro-Kremlin party won a majority in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, in last December's elections.

Putin is to hand over power to his successor Dmitry Medvedev on May 7.

Putin has agreed to take on the role of prime minister in Medvedev's presidency.