Kyrgyz President Appoints Security Council Secretary

(RFE/RL) December 18, 2006 -- Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev has appointed Osmanali Guronov secretary of the country's Security Council.

An official statement said Bakiev today introduced Guronov to members of the presidential administration.

Guronov is a specialist in combating religious extremism. He was appointed acting interior minister on October 6 and then sacked on November 6 in the midst of opposition street protests.

The reasons for his dismissal remain unclear.

(with material from 24.kg, AKIpress)

Understanding Kyrgyzstan

Workers preparing for celebrations of the constitutional compromise in Bishkek on November 9 (RFE/RL)

A STABLE FOUNDATION? On November 9, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a briefing featuring RFE/RL Kyrgyz Service Director Tyntchtykbek Tchoroev and RFE/RL analyst Daniel Kimmage.