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Kyrgyz opposition in 'power grab' Kyrgyz opposition in 'power grab'
(about 2 hours later)
Kyrgyzstan's government has rejected moves by the opposition to rewrite the constitution, calling it an "open attempt at seizing power".Kyrgyzstan's government has rejected moves by the opposition to rewrite the constitution, calling it an "open attempt at seizing power".
The statement came after opposition MPs held an emergency session of parliament to pass a constitution curbing some of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's powers.The statement came after opposition MPs held an emergency session of parliament to pass a constitution curbing some of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's powers.
President Bakiyev warned he could dissolve parliament if a political solution to the crisis is not found.President Bakiyev warned he could dissolve parliament if a political solution to the crisis is not found.
Mass protests in the capital Bishkek have now entered a sixth day. Violence broke out as opposition protests entered a sixth day.
Thousands of opposition supporters are calling on the president to resign, accusing him of failing to introduce the democratic reforms he pledged when he was elected in March 2005. Police used teargas to break up clashes, which broke out between opposition supporters and pro-government supporters holding rival rallies.
Thousands of opposition supporters have been gathering in the centre of Bishkek to call on the president to resign, accusing him of failing to introduce the democratic reforms he pledged when he was elected in March 2005.
Ongoing protestsOngoing protests
Opposition MPs called an emergency session overnight and signed a new draft constitution, which hands some presidential powers to parliament.Opposition MPs called an emergency session overnight and signed a new draft constitution, which hands some presidential powers to parliament.
They said 38 of parliament's 75 deputies signed the document, enough for a simple majority.They said 38 of parliament's 75 deputies signed the document, enough for a simple majority.
If contradictions between the legislature and the executive continues what will I have left to do [except dissolve parliament] President Kurmanbek BakiyevIf contradictions between the legislature and the executive continues what will I have left to do [except dissolve parliament] President Kurmanbek Bakiyev
But it was not clear if the vote would make the document legal, as Kyrgyz law requires any changes to the constitution to have a two-thirds majority.But it was not clear if the vote would make the document legal, as Kyrgyz law requires any changes to the constitution to have a two-thirds majority.
Constitutional Court Chairwoman Cholpon Bayekova told the Associated Press news agency that a smaller number of MPs could adopt the law as the situation was "extraordinary".Constitutional Court Chairwoman Cholpon Bayekova told the Associated Press news agency that a smaller number of MPs could adopt the law as the situation was "extraordinary".
The government in a statement called the meeting "nothing other than an open attempt at seizing power through anti-constitutional means".The government in a statement called the meeting "nothing other than an open attempt at seizing power through anti-constitutional means".
Political deadlockPolitical deadlock
The opposition's move came after President Bakiyev failed to arrive at parliament on Monday, as promised, to present a new constitution.The opposition's move came after President Bakiyev failed to arrive at parliament on Monday, as promised, to present a new constitution.
Instead, he sent suggestions for several amendments - which were rejected by the opposition.Instead, he sent suggestions for several amendments - which were rejected by the opposition.
TULIP REVOLUTION WILTS March 2005 - Former President Akayev ousted in popular protestJuly - Kurmanbek Bakiyev elected PresidentApril 2006 - Thousands protest for end to corruption and crimeNovember - Opposition calls for constitutional reform and curbing of presidential powers Unequal returns People's views one year onTULIP REVOLUTION WILTS March 2005 - Former President Akayev ousted in popular protestJuly - Kurmanbek Bakiyev elected PresidentApril 2006 - Thousands protest for end to corruption and crimeNovember - Opposition calls for constitutional reform and curbing of presidential powers Unequal returns People's views one year on
They accused him of pushing the country into a political deadlock.They accused him of pushing the country into a political deadlock.
President Bakiyev warned that he could dissolve parliament if the crisis continues.President Bakiyev warned that he could dissolve parliament if the crisis continues.
"I have not set myself the goal of dissolving parliament," he told a news conference."I have not set myself the goal of dissolving parliament," he told a news conference.
"But I have such a constitutional right and of course if contradictions between the legislature and the executive continues what will I have left to do? I cannot watch such an orgy.""But I have such a constitutional right and of course if contradictions between the legislature and the executive continues what will I have left to do? I cannot watch such an orgy."
US baseUS base
Mr Bakiyev sacked his Interior Minister Osmonali Guronov on Monday and replaced him with Omurbek Suvanaliyevin who has the respect of the opposition, in an apparent bid to appease the protesters.Mr Bakiyev sacked his Interior Minister Osmonali Guronov on Monday and replaced him with Omurbek Suvanaliyevin who has the respect of the opposition, in an apparent bid to appease the protesters.
But the appointment was dismissed by the opposition as a tactical move by the president to buy him more time.But the appointment was dismissed by the opposition as a tactical move by the president to buy him more time.
Thousands continue to gather outside government buildings and in the central square in Bishkek to keep up their pressure on the president.
Hundreds of supporters of the president have also taken to the streets, holding banners saying "Let the president work", but the demonstration appears to be peaceful, a Reuters news agency reporter at the scene says.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev came to power in March 2005 after helping to lead the so-called Tulip Revolution that drove the long-time president Askar Akayev from power.Kurmanbek Bakiyev came to power in March 2005 after helping to lead the so-called Tulip Revolution that drove the long-time president Askar Akayev from power.
Mr Bakiyev initially said he favoured reducing the powers of the president and transferring them to the legislature.Mr Bakiyev initially said he favoured reducing the powers of the president and transferring them to the legislature.
But most of his former allies have since turned against him, accusing him of failing to tackle corruption and create a government based on democratic principles.But most of his former allies have since turned against him, accusing him of failing to tackle corruption and create a government based on democratic principles.
Mr Bakiyev has urged patience, saying reforms should not be adopted in an "hour or two". But the opposition says his time has run out.Mr Bakiyev has urged patience, saying reforms should not be adopted in an "hour or two". But the opposition says his time has run out.