MOSCOW -- Controversial tycoon Boris Berezovsky was to go abroad Friday for hepatitis treatment, but promised the trip wouldn't derail his plans to run for parliament this December, a news report said.


Berezovsky, who is reputed to have Kremlin connections, did not mention where he would go for treatment, but said it would be for an extended stay, Interfax reported.


"Unfortunately, the disease is such that long treatment is needed. Today I am leaving the country for some time," Berezovsky said.