Disputed Parliament Takes Over in Kyrgyzstan: Reuters

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http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-03-28T094215Z_01_L28676060_RTRIDST_0_INTERNATIONAL-KYRGYZSTAN-DC.XML

Disputed Parliament Takes Over in Kyrgyzstan
Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:42 AM ET
By Christian Lowe

BISHKEK (Reuters) - Kyrgyzstan plunged deeper into confusion Monday when a parliament, whose disputed election led to a coup ousting President Askar Akayev, assumed authority and the new leaders jostled for power.

With the impoverished Central Asian state looking increasingly rudderless, differences emerged between acting president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, named within hours of the March 24 coup that forced Akayev to flee, and Felix Kulov, a popular opposition leader in charge of security.

"Today we have two presidents ... in some areas three or four governors and up to six regional leaders in the provinces," declared the speaker of the new parliament.

"We need to stop the disintegration of authority which is threatening the integrity of state," Omurbek Tekebayev told journalists, adding that Akayev still remained the legal head of state.

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