Nordic telecom operator TeliaSonera said it had picked Johan Dennelind, the current chief executive of South Africa's Vodacom International, as its new CEO.

TeliaSonera's confirmation of the appointment came hours after Reuters reported Dennelind, who was not among those most widely tipped as new CEO, had got the job.

With the selection of Dennelind the group is going for a boss with solid experience in emerging markets, regions that have been the main source of growth for Telia in recent years, but where its business practices have also come under fire. Telia, 37% owned by the Swedish government and Europe's sixth-biggest operator by market value, has been headed by its chief financial officer since former CEO Lars Nyberg resigned in February.

His move followed an internal probe criticising the company for failing in due diligence when it bought a 3G license in Uzbekistan in 2007.

Swedish prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation into allegations of corruption associated with the deal.

Telia has denied any wrongdoing.