Acting president appointed in Kyrgyzstan

Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who headed protests that triggered a coup in Kyrgyzstan last week, was appointed the Central Asian state's leader by its new parliament yesterday as officials battled to end political chaos.

Mr Bakiyev, who had previously disputed the election of the new parliament, was named prime minister, giving Kyrgyzstan a leadership with some claim to legitimacy after days of confusion following the overthrow of veteran President Askar Akayev.

The parliament's decision automatically confirmed Mr Bakiyev's position as acting president, a role he took on last Friday even though Mr Akayev - in power for 14 years in the former Soviet republic - has refused to quit.

Mr Akayev issued a statement yesterday from exile in Russia, accusing Kyrgyzstan's new leaders of disgracing the country and ruining the economy.

The statement, sent by e-mail to the Kyrgyz news agency Kabar and posted on its website (www.kabar.kg), did not indicate whether Mr Akayev would resign or try to return home as he has hinted.

The new leaders had warned of the risk of civil war after the collapse of the old government last Thursday in an orgy of violence and looting. Calm has since returned.

Mr Bakiyev was quick to hold out an olive branch to the new parliament, which was formally allowed to take over yesterday from the previous legislature.

"I can be reproached for saying earlier that the (February, March) polls were not legitimate. I said so. But in this parliament we have questions to only 15 to 20 constituencies, no one is saying that all deputies have to go," he said.

Kyrgyzstan has set June 26 for a new presidential election, although the date still has to be confirmed. Mr Bakiyev is almost certain to stand.