Kyrgyz parliament sets June 26 for presidential poll

The upper chamber of the Kyrgyz parliament on Saturday set June 26 for presidential elections for a new president to replace President Askar Akayev, who was toppledby the opposition two days ago.

The decision was passed by two-thirds of the lawmakers attending the emergency session, according to an official of the parliament.

The lawmakers also decided that the parliament continue to perform its duties until June 26, 2005.

Some deputies reportedly urged the interim government to halt the lawlessness, which left at least six people dead and hundreds injured in the past days of clash.

Akayev fled the country on Thursday amid protests of opposition supporters and the parliament named opposition leader Kurmanbek Bakiev acting president Friday.

The latest reports said the 60-year-old Akayev, who has ruled the Central Asian country for 15 years and denied quitting, has arrived in Russia.

Source: Xinhua