General Jose Manuel da Silva Viegas, the chief of general command of the army, turned in his resignation earlier on Friday, a source within the president's office told the agency.

Viegas, who has over 40 years army experience, had occupied the position since March 2001. The source gave no reason for his resignation.

The centre-right government will now have to propose a new name for the position to Sampaio, who acts as head of Portugal's armed forces.

Cash-strapped Portugal has slashed funding for the defence ministry in recent years at a time when the military is struggling to upgrade ageing equipment.

WAR.WIRE