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Kyrgyz Cabinet offers to resign Kyrgyzstan Cabinet resigns office
(about 1 hour later)
Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister Felix Kulov says he has tendered his government's resignation. Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has accepted the resignation of his Cabinet, amid a continuing stand-off between him and parliament.
It was not clear if President Kurmanbek Bakiyev would accept the offer. Prime Minister Felix Kulov, who tendered the resignation, said it should allow parliamentary elections due in 2010 to be held sooner.
The move appeared to have been prompted by continued wrangling between the government and legislature, despite a November deal on a new constitution. The move follows continued wrangling between the government and legislature, despite a deal on a new constitution.
A BBC correspondent in the region says that if the government does leave office new elections will have to be called. Mr Kulov's deputy says the two bodies are no longer able to work together.
Kyrgyzstan witnessed major protests in November which prompted Mr Bakiyev to agree to a new constitution that saw him giving up some powers.Kyrgyzstan witnessed major protests in November which prompted Mr Bakiyev to agree to a new constitution that saw him giving up some powers.
DifficultiesDifficulties
Mr Kulov said he had tendered his resignation to speed up the transition to a new parliament and government.Mr Kulov said he had tendered his resignation to speed up the transition to a new parliament and government.
"By our move we are trying to speed up new parliamentary elections. This is a way out of a crisis and a way to intensify the democratic process," he told reporters."By our move we are trying to speed up new parliamentary elections. This is a way out of a crisis and a way to intensify the democratic process," he told reporters.
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 2006 - President Bakiyev signs in new constitution after opposition protests People power forces changes Voices from Bishkek rallyTULIP REVOLUTION WILTS March 2005 - Former President Akayev ousted in popular protestJuly - Kurmanbek Bakiyev elected PresidentApril 2006 - Thousands protest for end to corruption and crimeNovember 2006 - President Bakiyev signs in new constitution after opposition protests People power forces changes Voices from Bishkek rally
His deputy was quoted as saying the new constitution had made it impossible for the existing government and parliament to work together.
The new constitution was signed on 9 November by President Bakiyev, following a week of protests in the capital Bishkek.The new constitution was signed on 9 November by President Bakiyev, following a week of protests in the capital Bishkek.
Thousands of opposition supporters set up tents in the main square and refused to leave until President Bakiyev resigned or brought in constitutional reform.Thousands of opposition supporters set up tents in the main square and refused to leave until President Bakiyev resigned or brought in constitutional reform.
They accused the president of reneging on his promise to introduce reforms when he overthrew Askar Akayev in the so-called Tulip Revolution in 2005.They accused the president of reneging on his promise to introduce reforms when he overthrew Askar Akayev in the so-called Tulip Revolution in 2005.
The new constitution allows parliament, not the president, to form a government.The new constitution allows parliament, not the president, to form a government.
However, under November's deal, it was agreed that the current government should remain in place until 2010.However, under November's deal, it was agreed that the current government should remain in place until 2010.
But if Mr Kulov's government resigns, parliament cannot approve its successor. This means that new elections would have to be called. But if the government resigns and parliament cannot approve its successor, new elections have to be called.
Mr Kulov and his ally Mr Bakiyev may be hoping they can win the elections and work with a less hostile legislature.Mr Kulov and his ally Mr Bakiyev may be hoping they can win the elections and work with a less hostile legislature.