Kazakh President Nazarbaev Announces Resignation, But Will Retain Key Roles

In a televised address to the nation from Astana on March 19, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev announced his abrupt resignation after nearly 30 years in office, but says he will continue to head the ruling party and keep his lifetime post as chairman of the influential Security Council. Nazarbaev, 78, has headed the energy-rich country since before the Soviet collapse of 1991.