Rival parliaments compete for power in Kyrgyzstan

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.

Police and civilian volunteers appeared to have stemmed the looting that raged through Bishkek after demonstrators stormed the presidential headquarters on Thursday and sent President Askar Akayev fleeing to Russia.

But disorder persisted in the political sphere, and the country's law-enforcement coordinator, appointed by one parliament, demanded the other body be recognised as legitimate in an apparent split in the opposition.