HANOI - A VIETNAMESE lawyer said on Friday he had filed the first legal action against a prime minister in the communist nation.

Cu Huy Ha Vu said he submitted a court complaint against Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to seek the cancellation of a controversial bauxite mining plan.

'I lodged a complaint with the Hanoi court on Thursday afternoon,' Mr Vu told AFP. 'It's the first time in Vietnam a complaint has been lodged against the prime minister.'

The court was not immediately able to confirm or deny the information.

Mr Vu alleged Mr Dung's decision had violated laws on the environment, defence and cultural heritage. 'The prime minister signed a decision approving the plan for bauxite exploitation... It's necessary to nullify the decision,' the lawyer said.

In 2007 the government approved a plan for major mining operations to be run by state-owned Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) in the Central Highlands.

In a one-party state where public protest is rare, the move triggered a public outcry from scientists, intellectuals and former soldiers.

Most prominent among the mine opponents is General Vo Nguyen Giap, 97, who masterminded Vietnam's 1954 victory over the French.

Critics said the environmental and social damage from the mines would far outweigh any economic benefit, and pointed to security concerns because a Chinese company has been granted a contract to build one of the projects. Vietnam's most powerful ruling body, the Politburo, in April endorsed the bauxite mining but said it must be carried out with respect for the environment and local residents.

Mr Vu, who boasts of a previous judicial victory over provincial authorities, said he expects 'very strong pressure' over his legal action against the prime minister. -- AFP