The Kyrgyz parliament speaker refused to debate calls to oust the prime minister, saying yesterday that lawmakers did not have the authority to make such a move, as several hundred protesters demanded the premier's resignation.

Speaker Omurbek Tekebayev said parliament could hold a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Felix Kulov's government, but only when Kulov presents an annual report. The president would then have the final say on whether to dismiss the prime minister.

Outside parliament about 300 protesters led by the brother of a slain Kyrgyz legislator rallied for a fourth day, demanding that Kulov be removed as head of the ex-Soviet nation's government and accusing him of involvement in the killing.

Lawmaker Tynychbek Akmatbayev was killed Thursday during a visit to a prison near the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. His brother, Ryspek, is to stand trial later this week on charges of murder of a senior police official, and Kulov's supporters have accused him of leading the protests to pressure authorities before the trial.

The protesters set up more than a dozen tents outside the parliament building in Bishkek. Signs accusing Kulov of allegedly being involved in the murder were posted on the building's columns. Nearby, about 150 Kulov's supporters held a counterdemonstration backing him.

Legislators decided last Thursday to set up a parliamentary commission to investigate Akmatbayev's murder. They were due to meet late yesterday with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to discuss the situation.

(China Daily October 26, 2005)