North Ossetian president orders govt to quit

The president of North Ossetia, the Russian region where more than 350 people were killed after terrorists seized hostages in a school, has ordered his government to quit.

The resignation, which President Alexander Dzasokhov promised within two days, was the first sign of officials being punished for failing to prevent the attack, which has plunged Russia into grief.

“We are doing this because many problems have piled up that need to be solved better,” Dzasokhov said.

He added that all officials would have to answer for their actions, regardless of whether they wear epaulets – a reference to the law enforcement organs that Russians have criticised for lassitude and corruption in the face of the terrorist threat.