THE Kyrgyz election contenders Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Felix Kulov have agreed to divide the spoils of the upcoming presidential election in an attempt to unite the opposition and divert Kyrgyzstan from a north-south split.

KYRGYZSTAN’S new authorities, struggling to end chaos after last week’s coup, yesterday appointed as the Central Asian country’s leader a key figure behind the overthrow of veteran President Askar Akayev.

TWO rival parliaments competed for power yesterday in Kyrgyzstan, raising political uncertainty in the former Soviet nation days after its leader fled for Russia and his government collapsed amid massive demonstrations.

Kyrgyzstan’s interim prime minister chose his key officials as the new leadership moved quickly to try to quell widespread disorder and looting following the overthrow of the president.

KYRGYZSTAN’S interim prime minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev chose his key officials today as the new leadership moved quickly to try to quell widespread disorder and looting following the overthrow of the president.

Opposition leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev emerged from the Parliament building today and said he had been named Kyrgystan’s acting leader a day after protesters drove President Askar Akayev’s government from power, unleashing widespread looting.

President Askar Akayev of Kyrgyzstan fled the country’s capital today after protesters stormed his headquarters, seized control of state television and rampaged through government offices.