Singapore  - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Monday that he reshuffled his cabinet last week as part of a long process of self-renewal for the island state's political system.

Lee told reporters that Singapore has yet to fully assemble the core of its new generation of leaders and it was a critical now to identify, gather and prepare more people to take the reins of power in the city-state to assure Singapore's long-term future, according to a Channel News Asia report,

Lee said he kept some older ministers in the cabinet so there would be a balance of energy and fresh ideas from younger ministers to drive policy while the older members would provide experience and advice, especially during the current recession.

Lee appointed defence minister Teo Chee Hean as the new deputy prime minister and promoted other ministers.

Lee's government comes from the People's Action Party, which has ruled Singapore since its independence in 1965. (dpa)