Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister Azim Isabekov has resigned, a day after the political opposition rejected the government's invitation to form a coalition.
The government's press office says Mr. Azim handed in his resignation Thursday, to preserve the stability of the central Asian country.
Kyrgyzstan's President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has appointed opposition politician Almaz Atambayev to be acting prime minister. The parliament still has to approve the appointment.
Earlier this week, Mr. Isabekov fired several top officials and offered to replace them with opposition members, in a bid to pacify growing criticism of the government.
President Bakiyev reversed the dismissals after the opposition rejected the offer.
Opposition protesters have held a series of demonstrations against President Bakiyev, accusing him of corruption and calling for his resignation.
Kyrgyzstan has struggled with political instability since protests drove former President Askar Akayev from office in 2005.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
