UPDATE 1-Russia's Norilsk board elects Potanin-backed CEO

MOSCOW, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The board of Norilsk Nickel (GMKN.MM: ), the world's largest nickel miner, elected Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, 54, as its chief executive officer, Norilsk Board Chairman Vladimir Potanin said on Friday. Strzhalkovsky was proposed by Potanin's Interros group. He will replace Sergei Batekhin, who has been in the job for only two weeks after replacing Denis Morozov following a board reshuffle in July. Strzhalkovsky is a former KGB official and is seen by analysts as an ally of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. He most recently served as head of state tourism agency Rosturism. "Norilsk Nickel is a company which consolidates the industry. Our consolidation effort will require a cooperation with the state," Potanin told reporters after the board meeting. United Company RUSAL, the world's largest aluminium... [read full story]