Entire Kyrgyzstan government quits

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (CNN) -- The government of the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan has resigned en masse after five opposition demonstrators died in clashes with police.

The resignations took place during a Security Council session on Wednesday, an official from the Kyrgyz presidential press service told CNN.

The session had been devoted to discussing the March 17-18 events which occurred in the southern district of Ak-Sy district in the former Soviet Republic.

The government has come in for criticism for the deaths of the five demonstrators during a rally calling for the release of the jailed opposition figure Azimbek Beknazarov.

Beknazarov, a member of the nation's parliament. was eventually released.

President Askar Akayev said he will appoint a new Cabinet after consultations with parliament leaders and prominent public figures. A criminal investigation is under way to establish the details of the March events.

Akayev talked of the 'tragic' events of March 17-18

Akayev was quoted as saying in an Interfax report: "Society rightfully expects resolute steps from the Security Council, first of all a decision concerning the responsibility of people, whose actions or failure to act, contrary to democratic standards, did not prevent the use of force, which led to a tragic turn of events and human casualties."

Kyrgyz Security Council Secretary Misir Ashirkulov was quoted as saying the whole government had to automatically quit after Prime Minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev submitted his resignation.

The head of the presidential office Amanbek Karypkulov has also resigned, Interfax reported.

First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev was named acting prime minister until parliament confirms a replacement.