Nigeria's acting¹ president, Goodluck Jonathan, has dissolved the country's cabinet.

尼日利亚代理总统乔纳森解散了国家的内阁。

Mr Jonathan became acting president in February amid the continuing illness of President Umaru Yar'Adua.

Mr Yar'Adua went to Saudi Arabia for treatment in November last year and, despite returning to Nigeria recently, has not been seen in public.

One outgoing（即将离职的，乐于助人的） cabinet minister denied there was any power vacuum, saying civil servants would take over（接管） .

The cabinet was picked by Mr Yar'Adua and correspondents say Mr Jonathan is now trying to stamp his own authority.

Observers see Wednesday's move as an attempt to consolidate²（巩固，加强） power at the expense of Mr Yar'Adua.

'No reason'

Information Minister Dora Akunyili said after a cabinet meeting: "Today, the acting president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, dissolved the Federal Executive Council [cabinet].

"He did not give us any reason and so I cannot give any reason.

"There is no vacuum in the government as permanent（永久的，永恒的） secretaries will take charge."

Ms Akunyili said that Mr Jonathan would issue a statement soon on the future make-up of the cabinet.

Mr Jonathan will have to submit the list of new ministers to the National Assembly.

It was only on 9 February that the assembly appointed Mr Jonathan as acting president, allowing him to sign legislation, chair cabinet meetings, reshuffle ministers and release oil funds.

Since he assumed power he has been faced with serious communal³ violence between Muslim and Christian⁴ groups near the city of Jos that has left hundreds dead. On Wednesday, at least 10 people were killed in an attack on a mainly Christian village near Jos.

Armed groups who say they are fighting for a fairer share of oil wealth have also continued their campaign in the Niger Delta⁵.

On Monday two car bombs exploded in the oil city of Warri, where officials were in talks over an amnesty（大赦，特赦） for militants⁶.