By Frances Robinson
BRUSSELS--Belgacom SA's (BELG.BT) board of directors gave
chief-executive powers to financial chief Ray Stewart and chairman
Stefaan De Clerck on an interim basis Saturday after the government
fired CEO Didier Bellens last night.
In a statement, the board said it would start the procedure for
recruiting a new CEO for the Belgacom Group. An external
headhunting agency will draw up a short list, while the government
will make the final appointment decision.
"Belgacom has all the assets to successfully meet the challenges
in the telecom sector," Mr. De Clerck said. "Since 1997, Ray
Stewart has helped build this solid foundation, and is therefore
ideally placed to ensure a smooth transition period."
Late Friday, Prime Minister Elio di Rupo summoned Mr. Bellens to
his office and fired him over a series of comments criticizing the
government, which owns 53.5% of Belgacom.
"The repeated, accumulated outbursts have irreversibly damaged
the confidence of the Belgian state in Mr. Bellens," Mr. di Rupo
told reporters late Friday. "The federal government revokes his
mandate."
Write to Frances Robinson at frances.robinson@dowjones.com
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