A Lithuanian committee of inquiry issued a damning report stating that President Rolandas Paksas posed a threat to state security because of his office's links to the Russian mafia and secret services.

On the basis of the report, the parliament is to decide whether to start impeachment proceedings against Paksas, a former stunt pilot who won a surprise election victory in January over his predecessor, Valdas Adamkus.

A Lithuanian committee of inquiry issued a damning report stating that President Rolandas Paksas posed a threat to state security because of his office's links to the Russian mafia and secret services.  [AFP/File]

"Taking into account the special status of the president, his responsibility and his role in domestic and foreign policy, this poses a threat to Lithuanian national security," the parliamentary committee said in its report.

"The president was, and still is, vulnerable," it said.

As political parties in Vilnius started to mull whether to move for impeachment, Paksas' political rival, parliamentary speaker Arturas Paulauskas, promptly called for him to resign.

If Paksas goes, Paulauskas would step into his presidential shoes pending new elections.

"In his place I would show respect for the president's institution and would not give a basis to start impeachment," Paulauskas told a news conference when asked whether Paksas should stand down.

The committee of inquiry was set up a month ago to investigate a possible threat to state security after a security services report alleged the president's office had links to the mafia.

Paksas has denied any wrongdoing and insists he has not breached Lithuania's constitution or laws.

In a 10-page six-point report lodged with the parliament, the committee said a shady Russian-registered public relations company, suspected of links with the Russian secret services "was and still is exercising influence over the president's office..."

It also frowned on Paksas' "exclusive" relations with his main financial backer in his election campaign -- Jurijus Borisovas -- a Russian who was accused in the early security services report of trading arms to Sudan.

It said criminal groups "exerted influence over the president's office and were seeking to bring around changes at the head of legal institutions.

Classified information was leaked via the president and his advisors, to people who were not entitled to know the information, including those targetted by the investigation, the report said.

The report was due to be discussed by the parliament in full session on Tuesday.

Paksas is in dire straits, just a week before a visit to the United States where he is scheduled to meet President George W. Bush (news - web sites) on December 8.

Impeachment proceedings can be launched with only 36 votes in the 141-seat assembly. It would require the vote of 85 lawmakers to oust Paksas from office.

At least three parliamentary groups -- the Liberals, Conservatives and Social Liberals -- have already said they will back impeachment.

Paksas convened a meeting of the state defence council on Monday, as the media lined up against him on Monday, after thousands of Lithuanians took to the streets two weekends in row to demand his resignation.

The middle-of-the-road daily newspaper Respublika pointed to a "day of fateful decisions" and warned of a political crisis in Lithuania, which regained independence from the Soviet Union only 12 years ago.

Paksas is also scheduled to appear this week before the constitutional court to answer questions about his decision to grant Lithuanian citizenship to Borisovas, who donated 1.2 million litas (350,000 euros) to his election campaign.

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