The Kyrgyz parliament on Thursday voted against a bill from the country's president to reinstate Prime Minister Felix Kulov, Kyrgyzstan's Kabar news agency reported.

Out of the 65 lawmakers, 39 voted against the nomination presented by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev on Tuesday, while 23 voted in favor, according to the reports.

Kulov's government resigned on Dec. 19 in a technical procedure to put a new constitution on hold, which was adopted after opposition protests in November.

Under the new law signed on Nov. 8, the parliament, instead of the president, is charged with appointing the country's premier and government.

Following Kulov's resignation, Bakiyev demanded amendments to the constitution in a bid to end the country's political crisis.

The new draft, which gives the president more power within a transitional period by 2010, including the right to name a new prime minister, was approved by the parliament on Dec. 30.

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2007)