New Kyrgyz Prime Minister Confirmed

Jantoro Satybaldiev said getting Kyrgyzstan through the winter would be his first priority.

Kyrgyzstan's parliament has confirmed Jantoro Satybaldiev to be the country's new prime minister.

The 120-member parliament voted 111 to two in favor of Satybaldiev's candidacy.

Satybaldiev had been the presidential chief of staff since December 2011.

The new prime minister said getting Kyrgyzstan through the winter would be his first priority.

The country faces chronic power shortages during winter months.

Satybaldiev replaces Omurbek Babanov, who was forced to leave office after two of the four parties in the ruling coalition announced their departure last month.

Based on reporting by Interfax, ITAR-TASS, AKIpress, and 24.kg