Kyrgyz President Formally Appoints Prime Minister, New Cabinet

Newly elected Prime Minister Jantoro Satybaldiev addresses parliament in Bishkek on September 5.

President Almazbek Atambaev has signed decrees formally appointing Kyrgyzstan's new cabinet and prime minister.

The former chief of the presidential office, Jantoro Satybaldiev, is taking over as prime minister, while many members of the previous cabinet retain their posts in the new government.

Satybaldiev's appointment comes the day after parliament confirmed his nomination.

The previous government collapsed last month after two parties, Ar-Namys and Ata-Meken, quit the alliance over differences with outgoing Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov.

Babanov's Respublika party and the Ata-Jurt (Homeland) party are now slated to become opposition parties.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement on September 6 congratulating Kyrgyzstan on the formation of the new coalition.

The statement says Washington will continue to support Bishkek in its development of democratic institutions.

With reporting by Interfax