Interim Kyrgyz leader Roza Otunbayeva said on Friday the country would become a parliamentary republic after changes are made in the constitution in order to renew democracy.
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev had to flee the capital Bishkek on April 6 and later his traditional stronghold in the country's south following nationwide protests which broke out about five years after he came to power as a result of the 2005 Tulip revolution. Bakiyev flew to neighboring Kazakhstan on Thursday and sent his letter of resignation to the interim government by fax on Friday.
"We want to see the text of the Kyrgyz Constitution, where the country's leadership is based on a parliamentary system," Otunbayeva said at a press conference, adding: "We are now working on the new text."
Otunbayeva said the new constitution with amendments to the activities of the president, parliament, as well as the executive branch and judicial system should be ready by April 19.
She said the interim government is attempting to strengthen human rights and freedom of speech in the country.
"We hope to rebuild the democratic system...and in particular freedom of speech and human rights," Otunbayeva said.
The interim premier also said radio and television stations have begun operating again in the country and that newspapers that were shut down under Bakiyev's presidency have started printing once again.
The plane carrying the deposed president landed in the Kazakh city of Taraz on Thursday evening. The deposed president's departure from the country was mediated by Russia, Kazakhstan and the United States.
The Kyrgyz interim government said it had allowed the deposed president to leave the country for his own safety as "the interim government had no opportunity to provide safety for the former president, as is required by law."
MOSCOW, April 16 (RIA Novosti)
