By The South Asia Times Report

NUR-SULTAN (TSAT) - Kazakhstan President on Wednesday has dismissed his Defense Minister Murat Bektanov over  the recent violent protest that left 225 lives in the Central Asian country.

According to an officials statement, the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed Ruslan Zhaksylykov as the new Defense Minister of the country. 

The latest move came after the President lifted state of emergency on Tuesday night following returning of normal life after violent unrest in the country since early January. 

Ruslan Zhaksylykov born in 1966 in the Almaty region, was earlier served as the deputy interior minister.

Former Defense Minister Murat Bektanov – who was appointed to the post on August 31 last year – was relieved of his duties by a separate presidential decree.

During a meeting with the Defense Ministry official where the President introduced his new Defense Minister with military commanders, said the new minister was a military serviceman, he had a special education at the Almaty Higher Military Command School, according to officials statement issued from the presidency.   

"The army must be the backbone of our independence and protect the interests of the state. During the January events, the Armed Forces were unable to carry out the tasks assigned to them due to their unreliable and incompetent leadership." said the President.

"Minister Bektanov failed to demonstrate his commanding ability. Despite the fact that our army has shown positive results during command and staff and military exercises, we have not been able to use its potential at a critical time. We had to call for outside help," said the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.     

He also praised the work of the CSTO contingent, which has completed its peacekeeping mission in Kazakhstan.

 "The CSTO peacekeeping forces arrived in Kazakhstan only for a short time and served as a defense. The collective contingent has shown its effectiveness and potential," - said the President.

Major changes in the government of the former Soviet state came after recent protest that became violent triggered by a fuel price increase earlier this month which which left at least 225 people killed.

Soon after the protest began, the former government resigned and government took back the gas prices increased decision. But despite that protesters continue it demonstration and attacked on government buildings and instalation. 

The protest compelled the President to declared state of emergency across the country to control the situation which has ended on Tuesday night.