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2nd LD, Writethru: Kyrgyz PM tenders verbal resignation

Xinhua, April 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Temir Sariyev on Monday tendered a verbal resignation over a road construction project scandal, the government press service confirmed to Xinhua.

"Squabbles, rumors and gossip have upset the balance within the government," Sariyev said. "The government's work has stalled at such a difficult time."

"I will fight until my innocence is proved," Sariyev told an extraordinary cabinet meeting, adding that he will demand an objective investigation into the case.

Earlier this month, a scandal about the legality of competition for a road construction project broke out. The government was accused of having rigged the road construction tender.

Sariyev, who has denied any wrongdoing, had asked Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev to sack Transport Minister Argynbek Malabayev, but Atambayev has refused to do so.

Malabayev later accused Sariyev and his deputy minister Ulan Uezbayev of having personal interests in the tender.

A parliamentary commission investigating the tender called for Sariyev's resignation after meeting during the weekend.

Sariyev was sworn in as prime minister in May 2015, two weeks after his predecessor, Joomart Otorbayev, stepped down. Endit