Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Kyrgyzstan's capital on Thursday demanding the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev who they say has backtracked on promises of democratic reforms.
About 15,000 people massed outside the Central Asian state's parliament, according to Reuters estimates, waving red opposition flags and chanting "Bakiyev, resign."
Most had dispersed by the evening although another demonstration is planned for Friday. The Kyrgyz president said in a television interview he would not easily be toppled.
"We have sufficient forces. The law enforcement agencies are in a determined mood, the military are saying, how much more of these (protests) can you have?" Bakiyev told Russia's Rossiya television station.
Bakiyev's opponents have staged frequent protests since he was swept to power in a coup in 2005. They say his administration is corrupt and he has backtracked on promises to share more power with parliament and push through reforms.
After a lengthy stand-off with the opposition-dominated parliament, Bakiyev agreed this week to alter the constitution to water down his powers and hand more influence to parliament.
"Tomorrow there will be another peaceful meeting just like this one," said Almaz Atambayev, chairman of the opposition Social Democratic Party. "Sympathisers will join us tomorrow and there will be no fewer people than today." Police put attendance at Thursday's protest at between 5,000 and 6,000. Opposition leaders said the turnout was 40,000.
Prime Minister Felix Kulov told an evening television debate "any attempt to destabilise the situation, I tell you with authority now, will be resolutely stopped". Bakiyev was elected president after his predecessor, Askar Akayev, fled the country following violent protests against a flawed parliamentary election.
Bakiyev's control of the country has been fragile from the outset, raising the possibility he could suffer a similar fate to Akayev if protests continue. But the parliamentary opposition lined up against him is itself riven by division.
"On the whole, I believe there are no grounds for concern, for people to be worried ... Frankly speaking, all we have here is a fight for power," Bakiyev said in the television interview.
Bakiyev told parliament he would present the new constitution on Monday. "I'm ready to discuss suggestions from parliament, because the arguments are centred around only one article: what responsibilities will lie with the president and with the parliament," Bakiyev said.
That failed to satisfy his opponents. "We do not believe the president's promises," said Omurbek Tekebayev, the main opposition leader. "We want reform. That is the main thing. We want to force them (the authorities) to make good on their promises."
Kyrgyzstan, a mainly Muslim nation of 5.2 million people, is home to both US and Russian airbases. Outsiders are watching for signs of civil unrest they worry could spread to neighbouring countries in Central Asia.
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