Acting head of Patrice Lumumba University resigns

The acting head of Moscow's University of People's Friendship, Dmitry Bilibin, announced his resignation at a meeting with students.

Viktor Ponko, deputy rector of the university, revealed this to RIA Novosti. The meeting of students with the new rector had been initiated by the former, Mr Ponko said.

Bilibin told the students that he had previously tendered resignation and discussed the issue with the education minister.

According to him, his decision had been prompted by the fact that he saw the November 24 fire at the dormitory and the 37 killed students as his personal responsibility.

"In principle, the minister has met his request but asked him to stay at the post for the period of eliminating the consequences of the fire," Mr Ponko quoted Bilibin.

In the small hours of Monday the dormitory of the university caught fire that left 37 people killed and over 160 injured. The latter are still receiving treatment in Moscow's hospitals.