Kyrgyzstan moves to reform constitution

A Kyrgyzstan advisory council began drafting reforms to the Central Asian nation’s constitution today, aiming to curb presidential authority and grant parliament more power in the wake of last month’s dramatic revolt.

The new 114-member council, which includes MPs and members of non-governmental organisations, hopes to make recommendations on reform before the July 10 presidential vote to replace Askar Akayev, who was ousted in a popular uprising March 24.