Following a week of the republic's worst unrest in more than a decade, Kazakhstan’s president stripped his powerful predecessor as head of the country’s security council on Wednesday, after demonstrators stormed and torched public buildings.

Nursultan Nazarbayev, 81, has retained wide authority since stepping down in 2019 as the longest-serving ruler of an ex-Soviet state.

Nazarbayev’s hand-chosen successor, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said he had taken over as head of the powerful Security Council, a post that had been retained by Nazarbayev.

The cabinet's resignation failed to diffuse crowds as the demonstrators continued to protest. As a result, authorities have shut down mobile internet and blocked access to messaging apps, and army units have been brought into Almaty to restore order.

“As the head of state, I plan to act as toughly as possible,” said Tokayev in a televised address on Wednesday afternoon. He added, "This is a question of the safety of our country. I am certain that the people will support me."