 Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong (L) will hand power to Mr Lee |
Singapore's ruling party has endorsed the Deputy Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, as the next head of government. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong will announce the handover date in July.
Correspondents say the endorsement of the new leader was widely expected as Mr Goh prepares to step down after 14 years in office.
Mr Lee, 52, is a son of Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, and has served as deputy for more than 13 years.
When Mr Lee takes over, it will be only the second leadership transition in Singapore's history.
However, few analysts expect a radical change in government policy.
Mr Goh, who was once written off as a weak, transitionary figure - a mere seat-warmer for the Lee family - has become popular among ordinary Singaporeans.
His deputy, on the other hand, is seen, like his father, as a stern, authoritarian figure.
One-Minute World News 
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