Ousted Kyrgyz president to hold press conference on Friday

Ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev will hold a news conference on Friday in Minsk, capital of Belarus, Russia's RIA Novosti news agency reported.

"At 11:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) on Friday, Kurmanbek Bakiyev will hold a news conference," said a spokesman for the Belarusian national press center.

Bakiyev, now in Belarus, in his first public statement on Wednesday denied his resignation and urged the international community not to recognize the interim government formed after riots broke out across the country two weeks ago.

"As the president and safeguard of the constitution, I am responsible for the catastrophe. I must stop this catastrophe. I do not recognize my resignation," said Bakiyev.

However, the Kyrgyz interim government fought back by saying that Bakiyev lied in his latest statement.

The interim Kyrgyz government has accused Bakiyev and his allies of ordering the shooting of demonstrators in the early April riots.

Earlier on Wednesday, the interim government announced that the country will hold parliamentary elections on Oct. 10.

Source: Xinhua