Welsh first minister Rhodri Morgan has given up his role as economic development minister in a mini-reshuffle.

Morgan had held the position since July 2001 when the Liberal Democrat leader in the assembly, Mike German, stepped down after the police began an investigation related to his former job at the WJEC examinations board.

In the minor reshuffle, Andrew Davies moves from his post as assembly business manager to take on the economic development portfolio, while rural affairs minister Carwyn Jones will add the business responsibilities to his current role.

Jones will also take responsibility for the co-ordination of the public presentation of the policies of the Welsh Assembly Government.

"These new arrangements will allow me to concentrate on the role of first minister in leading the government and coordinating the work of all ministers. No other changes in the portfolios of ministers or the responsibilities of deputy ministers are being made," said Morgan.

"The terms of the partnership agreement remain in force, including the provision, temporarily suspended, which provides for Michael German, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, to be the deputy first minister with a major portfolio in the government."

"I continue to regard the partnership between Labour and Liberal Democrats as invaluable in ensuring that the assembly and its government continue to earn the respect of the people in Wales."

Liberal Democrat AM and acting deputy first minister Jenny Randerson said the Lib-Lab coalition would continue to serve the people of Wales.

"I would have wished that by now that Mike German as Leader of the Liberal Democrats could take again his place in the cabinet. In the continuing circumstances Rhodri has my full support in the decisions that he has made today. I look forward to Mike German rejoining the cabinet and the Liberal Democrats returning to full cabinet strength in the not too distant future," she added.

Opposition parties in the Welsh assembly have been calling for the move for some time.

Plaid Cymru said it was "appalling" that Morgan had attempted to combine the two roles for so long, while the Conservatives said the reshuffle had been determined by the needs of Mike German rather than the needs of Wales.