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Kyrgyzstan set for new protests Thousands join Bishkek protests
(about 10 hours later)
The Central Asian Republic of Kyrgyzstan is bracing for a fresh wave of protests calling for the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Up to 10,000 people have joined opposition protests in the main square of Bishkek, capital of the ex-Soviet Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan.
Mr Bakiyev has recently tried to compromise with his opponents by appointing a moderate opposition leader as his prime minister. Several thousand of them plan to stay overnight in the tent city they have built in the city, which saw an uprising in March 2005.
Dozens of people are putting up tents in Bishkek's main square. The opposition say their protest will grow until President Kurmanbek Bakiyev resigns or calls a new election.
Opposition leaders say buses full of supporters from the regions are on their way to the capital. The government has called for dialogue, but the opposition will not compromise.
The government is also preparing. Across the street from the square, troops have been mobilised to guard the presidential palace. Thousands of opposition supporters gathered in Bishkek's main square calling for the president's resignation.
Instability fears Corruption and poverty
Two years ago it was President Bakiyev who led the crowds that stormed the palace and ousted the former leader Askar Akayev from power. At one point, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev came up to the stage. He called for a dialogue with the government, but the crowd jeered him away.
But Mr Bakiyev's opponents said he never delivered on his promises of fighting corruption and lifting the country out of poverty and now they want him to resign. Between the political speeches and calls for the president's resignation, pop stars came to entertain.
Leading this cause is Felix Kulov, the former prime minister who was until two months ago the president's ally. The protestors, many of whom plan to stay overnight, say they are tired of the corruption and poverty that President Bakiyev had promised, but failed, to end.
His leadership makes the opposition stronger, but most of Mr Kulov's supporters come from the north of Kyrgyzstan while most of the south seems to back the president. There are fears the protests could lead to confrontation
There are fears that this division could split the country apart and lead to serious instability. This political turmoil is also of concern beyond Kyrgyzstan's borders. Behind these protests is Felix Kulov the former prime minister and, until recently, President Bakiyev's close ally.
America's only remaining military base in central Asia lies just outside the capital. It is a crucial operation that supplies Nato troops in Afghanistan. Together, they led the street protests in 2005 that ousted the previous leader, Askar Akayev.
Mr Kulov says he is determined to push for the president's resignation.
Yet, Mr Bakiyev is not without his supporters and many residents of the capital fear that their battle for power may lead to confrontation.
The prospect of instability in the central Asian state is a worry to Russia and the US, both of which have air bases in the country.