Kazakh prime minister dismissed, made security agency chief

MOSCOW – The office of the president of Kazakhstan says the country’s prime minister has been dismissed and appointed to lead the security agency.

The statement released by the president’s office on Thursday said a deputy prime minister has been named acting prime minister.

Karim Masimov, who had served as prime minister since 2014 and previously for five years until 2012, will head the Committee for National Security, the president’s office said.

Kazakhstan is the richest Central Asian nation. It has been ruled by President Nursultan Nazarbayev since the 1991 Soviet collapse. He was last re-elected in 2011 with 96 per cent of the vote.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.