Kyrgyz president abolishes National Guard

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed a decree to abolish the National Guard, established by his predecessor Askar Akayev to provide security for state leaders, the Kyrgyz 24.kg news agency said.

BISHKEK, November 13 (RIA Novosti) - Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed a decree to abolish the National Guard, established by his predecessor Askar Akayev to provide security for state leaders, the Kyrgyz 24.kg news agency said.

According to the decree, the National Guard is abolished in order to "optimize activities of bodies, providing escort and security services to state objects, involved in guard mounting during meetings of heads of states and standing guard near the State flag of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek's central Ala Too Square, by reforming them and removing duplicate functions."

In late October, the Kyrgyz leader announced a wide-reaching reorganization of the apparatus of government, which, he said, was "cumbersome and incapable of timely responding to crises and swift changes in the situation." He cut the number of ministries and introduced a smaller number of agencies instead, giving more power to the presidency.

Igor Chudinov resigned as prime minister after the announcement. Former presidential chief of staff Daniyar Usenov took office after the pro-presidential Ak Zhol party, which dominates the legislature, voted for him almost unanimously.

Bakiyev said the overhaul would save the former Soviet state about $11.5 million in budget funds.