Kazakhstan's deputy PM appointed new premier

By Aliia Raimbekova

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (AA) - Deputy Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev has been appointed Kazakhstan’s new prime minister, according to an order published by President Nursultan Nazarbayev's office Friday.

Sagintayev was appointed acting prime minister Thursday after Nazarbayev dismissed then-Prime Minister Karim Massimov and reassigned him head of the National Security Committee.

Nazarbayev had said the decision to appoint Massimov security chief was made in order to tighten security measures in the country.