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Kyrgyzstan braced for new protest Kyrgyz protesters accused of plot
(about 5 hours later)
Opposition supporters in Kyrgyzstan are bracing for another day of protests. Thousands of protesters are rallying for a second day in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, as the government accused the opposition of planning a coup.
Thousands came to the streets on Thursday to demand the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Kyrgyz Prime Minister Felix Kulov told parliament that security services had recorded opposition leaders discussing seizing state buildings.
The current crisis has been triggered by a dispute over proposed political reforms that would curtail the president's power. But a BBC correspondent in Bishkek said that so far the protests were peaceful.
Hundreds of people spent the night in tents in Bishkek's main square, and thousands more are expected to join Friday's demonstration. Opposition supporters, who began their protest on Wednesday, are demanding the president's resignation.
Opposition leaders hope this will become a continuous protest. They accuse President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of failing to introduce the democratic reforms he promised when he came to power in 2005, and have pledged to continue until their demands are met.
Failure to deliver 'There are intentions'
A year-and-a-half ago Mr Bakiyev led the so-called Tulip Revolution, ousting his predecessor and bringing promise of democracy and reform. Many protesters remained camped overnight in Bishkek's main square, says the BBC's Natalia Antelava.
But many in this country say he has failed to deliver. Several hundred of them marched on the state television building to demand airtime for their leaders, while thousands more gathered in the square to hear a series of speeches.
Eighteen months on, they say Kyrgyzstan is still too poor, too corrupt and too undemocratic. TULIP REVOLUTION WILTS March 2005 - Former President Akayev ousted in popular protest July - Kurmanbek Bakiyev elected President April 2006 - Thousands protest for end to corruption and crime November - Opposition calls for constitutional reform and curbing of presidential powers href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4825890.stm" class="">Unequal returns href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4802762.stm" class="">People's views one year on
This particular crisis began on Thursday when Mr Bakiyev failed to submit a proposal on an immediate constitutional reform that would seriously curb his powers and broaden the authority of parliament. They insist their protest will continue to be well organised and peaceful, our correspondent says.
Mr Bakiyev says he will now put the proposal forward on Monday. But in parliament, the prime minister said he had evidence a coup was being planned by opposition leaders.
But following several months of failed negotiations, the opposition says they no longer believe Mr Bakiyev and that they will stay in the square until he steps down. "They talked about seizing the city hall, the Committee for State Security, state television and some buildings in the provinces," Mr Kulov said, according to the Associated Press news agency.
Mr Bakiyev appeared to play down the threat.
"There is no threat here. There are no forces to carry out a coup. But there are intentions," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
The opposition had rejected the allegations, AP reported. "There was no coup attempt," leader Omurbek Tekebayev was quoted as saying.
Hundreds of police have been deployed around the presidential headquarters, reports said.
The rally comes after weeks of political crisis and several rounds of failed negotiations over constitutional reform.
Opposition leaders accuse the president of breaking a pledge he made earlier in the week to hand more of his powers to the parliament and cabinet.
Mr Bakiyev won a landslide victory after President Askar Akayev was ousted in a popular protest - called the Tulip Revolution - in March 2005.