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Kyrgyz opposition forms new alliance, set to oust president

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BISHKEK, February 19 (RIA Novosti) - The opposition in Kyrgyzstan has joined together to form an alliance to seek the president's resignation and early elections, fueling fears about the Asian state's future unity.

The new alliance formed Monday comprises members of the largest opposition group For Reforms, which led street protests in May and November 2006, and its leader Omurbek Tekebayev and ex-Prime Minister Felix Kulov.

"Under the circumstances, when a negative vector in our country's development has become obvious, with a corrupt and crony government plunging the country in an increasingly deeper economic decline and degradation in all spheres of life, patriotically-minded forces have made a decision to set up a Unified Front For Decent Future for Kyrgyzstan," opposition leaders said in a statement.

Kabai Karabekov, a lawmaker and For Reforms member, said the alliance would comprise political and public organizations and individuals "sharing the objectives of the democratic revival of our country." He said it would be an interim body, and the For Reforms movement would continue its own activities.

He said it was so far not clear who would lead the organization, adding the headquarters would be established shortly.

Kulov, who resigned along with his Cabinet in mid-December and announced himself in opposition last week, is seen as the most likely leader.

Last week, Kulov blasted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev for breaking their power-sharing deal in 2005 - when he dropped his presidential ambitions in exchange for the prime minister's post - and leading the country toward "a corrupt system of government" in order to satisfy personal ambitions and clamp down on the opposition.

Kulov's re-emergence as the opposition leader could further undermine Bakiyev's positions already weakened by popular discontent with the slow pace of promised reforms in the impoverished ex-Soviet nation and an ongoing power struggle between the northern and southern clans.

For Reforms co-chairman Almaz Atambayev said he supported the new alliance's agenda, but added its goals of forcing the president to resign were more radical than those of his movement.

He also said early presidential elections could add to instability in the ex-Soviet state that has been gripped by political infighting since the March 2005 ouster of longtime leader Askar Akayev.

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