Kyrgyz Parliamentary Committee Backs Kulov's Premiership Bid

Acting Prime Minister Feliks Kulov (file photo) (ITAR-TASS) January 17, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- The Kyrgyz parliament's constitution committee today backed President Kurmanbek Bakiev's bid to reappoint outgoing Prime Minister Feliks Kulov, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Committee Chairman Iskhak Masaliev announced the decision to reporters.

"Our committee has decided to support the candidacy of Feliks Sharshenbaevich [Kulov] to the post of prime minister, and we will ask [other] lawmakers to back our conclusions," Masaliev said.

Bakiev submitted Kulov's candidacy to parliament for approval on January 16. The legislature is expected to debate the issue on January 18.

Kulov and his cabinet resigned on December 19. The move prompted political turmoil that resulted in the adoption of a new constitution that gives the president more powers.