Ousted Kyrgyz leader Bakiyev 'Remains President'

The ousted Kyrgyzstan leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev has said he remains the true president of the central Asian country. Bakiyev was speaking from Belarus, where he has now taken refuge after being overthrown in a violent uprising earlier this month.

According to BBC he said he did not recognize earlier reports of his resignation and that "death alone" would stop him.

Kyrgyzstan's interim leaders have said he should stand trial over the unrest in which more than 80 people died.

"I, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, am the legally elected president of Kyrgyzstan and recognized by the international community," he told reporters in the Belarus capital, Minsk.

The new interim government, led by former foreign minister Roza Otunbayeva, had said Mr Bakiyev gave them a signed letter of resignation but he rejected this.

"I do not recognise my resignation. Nine months ago the people of Kyrgyzstan elected me their president and there is no power that can stop me. Only death can stop me," he said, calling on international leaders not to recognize Otunbayeva's administration, which is what he said an "illegitimate gang."

Bakiyev had initially fled to Kazakhstan after the opposition seized government, but on Tuesday Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko said he and his family were in the country as "guests."

The interim government has said Mr Bakiyev is responsible for the deaths during the 7 April uprising and will be arrested and put on trial should he return to Kyrgyzstan.

Bakiyev said he was ready to face his responsibilities, but it was not clear whether this meant he would return to stand trial.
The new administration is attempting to restore order in Kyrgyzstan, amidst reports of sporadic unrest in the country. Otunbayeva has pledged to hold elections in late September or early October.