Russia denies ousted Kyrgyz president's claim

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a press conference Thursday that oral claim from ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev cannot replace written resignation, news agencies reported.

"All I know is that Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev faxed his resignation statement to Bishkek. Oral statements can hardly invalidate that document," said Lavrov.

Bakiyev, now in Belarus, on Wednesday denied his resignation and urged the international community not to recognize the interim government formed after riots broke out across the country in early April.

Source: Xinhua