China border deal approved

The upper house of parliament in Kyrgyzstan on Friday ratified a controversial border agreement with China.

An attempt to pass the bill two days ago failed.

President Akayev: calls for his resignation

A parliamentary spokesman said this latest vote had been won with 30 in favour, one against, and four abstentions.

The vote comes amid continuing anti-government protests calling for the agreement - which cedes 90,000 hectares to China - to be annulled.

Some members of parliament have challenged the legality of the deal.

The Associated Press news agency says some of protesters detained overnight have complained of inhumane treatment in police custody.

Protests outside parliament on Thursday

As well as rallying outside parliament, they also blockaded the main Kyrgyz north-south highway from the country's capital Bishkek to the southern city of Osh.

The protesters are demanding the acquittal of the opposition parliamentary deputy Azimbek Beknazarov, one of the land deal's main critics, who is being charged with abuses of power.

Also fuelling the protests are the deaths of five people in the police response to violent demonstrations in March.

Protesters have called for the resignation of the president, Askar Akayev.