Kyrgyz leader told not to return

Kurmanbek Bakiev has made his political ambitions clear

Kyrgyzstan's interim leader has warned the country's exiled president, Askar Akayev, not to risk returning to the country to offer a formal resignation.

Kurmanbek Bakiev, who became acting president when Mr Akayev fled to Russia last week amid widespread unrest, said his return would inflame the situation.

Mr Akayev's return would "give rise to mass unrest", Mr Bakiev told state TV.

Mr Akayev had told Russian media that he would return in order to resign if his safety was guaranteed.

Asked about the prospect of Mr Akayev returning to Kyrgyzstan, Mr Bakiev warned of the danger of "massive disturbances".

"Passions have not yet died down. If he decided to return in the short term, then it could spark unrest not only in [the capital] Bishkek, but throughout the republic."

Negotiations with Mr Akayev are "necessary and possible", he continued.

But the dangers of civil unrest currently outweigh the benefits of a symbolic return for the deposed president, Mr Bakiev added.

Issue of trust

Mr Akayev fled to Russia on 24 March as a popular uprising threw Kyrgyzstan into political chaos.

Askar Akayev appears ready to offer a formal resignation

The country's new political leaders have been attempting to legitimise their rule in the days following Mr Akayev's departure.

For his part, Mr Akayev appears willing to resign as long as he is given security guarantees by the new authorities in Bishkek.

On Tuesday a senior figure in the new administration, Felix Kulov, promised to protect Mr Akayev should he choose to return to Kyrgyzstan to offer his resignation.

But Mr Akayev has publicly said that he does not trust Mr Kulov, who has been the focus of corruption allegations and has spent much of the past four years in jail.

Mr Kulov stepped down as interim national security adviser on Wednesday as the situation throughout Kyrgyzstan remained relatively calm.

While the question of Mr Akayev's resignation remains uncertain, contenders for new presidential elections have begun to emerge.

Mr Bakiev has already said that he will run for president.