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Kyrgyz MPs to vote on new charter Kyrgyz leader signs new charter
(about 12 hours later)
Kyrgyzstan's Parliament is meeting to vote on a new constitution that would seriously curb the president's powers and give more authority to legislators. The president of Kyrgyzstan has signed a new draft constitution which will cut his powers drastically and give more authority to parliament.
The session follows a day of clashes among pro and anti-government demonstrators in the centre of the capital, Bishkek. The opposition felt Kurmanbek Bakiyev had failed to deliver on reforms he promised when he came to power in the "Tulip Revolution" in March last year.
The new constitution could resolve the crisis that has driven Kyrgyzstan into a political deadlock. The new charter could resolve Kyrgyzstan's political deadlock.
But it will only do so if President Bakiyev agrees to sign it. Demonstrators who had been protesting for a week in the capital, Bishkek, celebrated when they heard the news.
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
Thousands of supporters of President Bakiyev are gathering outside the parliament as the legislators inside are preparing to adopt the new constitution, stripping the president of much of his power. The scene of protest in the centre of Bishkek has just turned into a massive scene of celebration.
Just up the street, in the city's main square, thousands of opposition supporters are holding their rally. There are thousands of opposition supporters here and it has just been announced that President Bakiyev has agreed to the new draft of the constitution that will seriously curb his power and give much more legitimacy to the parliament.
This stand-off, which led to street clashes on Tuesday, showed signs of easing as the opposition managed to get two-thirds of the country's MPs to agree on the new draft of the constitution. For about a week during the protest President Bakiyev has refused to agree to these changes.
But before it comes into force, President Bakiyev needs to sign it. But there has been unprecedented pressure on him and now the parliament is about to convene and with the go-ahead from the President they will vote on the new constitution.
Last week his refusal to agree to the changes led to days of mass rallies in the streets of Bishkek.
Now, with the majority of parliament voting for the new constitution, Mr Bakiyev is under more pressure than ever before.
But for many here, the government's decision to bring out more people to rally in support of the president is a sign that Mr Bakiyev may not be quite ready to give up his power.