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New Kyrgyz Parliament Confirms Bakiev As PM

28 March 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyzstan's new parliament approved today Kurmanbek Bakiev as the nation's prime minister.

Rival parliaments were meeting in Bishkek amid confusion over who has the right to be part of the interim government.

Earlier today, the speaker of Kyrgyzstan's new parliament, Omurbek Tekebaev, said that lawmakers should review whether the appointment of an acting leader was legal. Bakiev is also acting president.

Tekebaev spoke at a news conference earlier today.

"We should make all efforts in order to turn the current [political] situation onto a constitutional path, toward a legal way. We must accept the current status of Mr. [Kurmanbek] Bakiev as an interim prime minister. This is first. Secondly, all of society, including the interim authorities, must accept a legitimacy of you, the newly elected parliament. This will be a guarantee for recovery from the current situation," Tekebaev said.

Tekebaev also said fresh presidential elections could be held only following talks with ousted President Askar Akaev.

Akaev has fled Bishkek, but has not resigned as president. His whereabouts have not been disclosed.

(RFE/RL/AP)

Copyright (c) 2005. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org