The Kyrgyz President, Askar Akayev, has sacked his entire cabinet for failing to tackle the country's worsening economic problems.

Kyrgyzstan is suffering from high inflation, a ballooning trade deficit and weakening currency.

Mr Akayev named the deputy prime minister, Boris Silayev, as the new acting prime minister.

The dismissal of the government comes soon after the arrests of several past and current deputy ministers in a corruption scandal.

Correspondents say the sacking might be aimed at setting up a fresh government team in readiness for calling presidential elections next year -- a year earlier than they are due.