Russia Rejects Bakiev's Claim To Kyrgyz Presidency

Russia says it does not recognize a claim by deposed Kyrgyz leader Kurmanbek Bakiev that he is still president of Kyrgyzstan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference today that Bakiev's handwritten resignation letter could not be reversed.

"All I know, and it has been announced officially, is that Kurmanbek Bakiev faxed a resignation letter to Bishkek," Lavrov said. "That was a document and it can hardly be rejected by verbal statements."

Bakiev fled Kyrgyzstan following a violent uprising earlier this month and is currently in Belarus.

Kyrgyzstan's interim government announced on April 21 that the country will hold parliamentary elections on October 10 following a referendum aimed at curbing presidential powers.

Omurbek Tekebaev, the deputy leader of the interim government, said the parliamentary election may be held jointly with a presidential ballot.

Compiled from agency reports