New Kazakh leader sworn in, capital to be renamed after predecessor

Muscat: Kazakhstan is set to rename its capital city after former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who resigned after three decades in power.

The decision was confirmed following the swearing-in of his successor Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who will serve as interim President until elections in 2020.

Nazarbayev will continue to hold a number of key posts as well as the formal title 'Leader of the Nation'. His daughter, Dariga Nazarbayeva, was also elected as the Speaker of the Upper House of Parliament in a secret ballot.