Brazil social security minister resigns, Lula names secretary for the role

SAO PAULO, May 2 (Reuters) - Brazil's Social Security Minister Carlos Lupi resigned from his position on Friday, with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva naming his main secretary for the role, according to a statement from the Presidential Palace.

Lupi's resignation follows a sweeping operation carried out by authorities against social security agency INSS last month, with the agency accused of improperly deducting funds from pensioners of more than $1 billion.

The operation led to the dismissal of then INSS head Alessandro Stefanutto, who was the prime target of the operation. The INSS falls under the Social Security Ministry.

In a resignation statement posted on social media, Lupi said his name was not mentioned in the ongoing probes regarding INSS, and that his ministry had supported the investigations all along.

Lula appointed the ministry's executive secretary, Wolney Queiroz, as the new minister, the Presidential Palace said.