Kyrgyz Speaker 'intends to quit'

President Bakiev has accused lawmakers of obstruction

Kyrgyzstan's parliamentary Speaker, Omurbek Tekebayev, has said he intends to resign.

Mr Tekebayev did not give a reason for his plans, but they come amid criticism from President Kurmanbek Bakiev of the country's lawmakers.

Parliament "has turned into a place of squabbling, tension and instability", Mr Bakiev said on Friday.

Lawmakers have refused to confirm Mr Bakiev's nominations for several key government jobs in recent months.

Kyrgyzstan has been hit by political instability and occasional violence since former President Askar Akayev was ousted in a popular uprising last March.

Referendum

Spokesman Zalkar Kamalov told the Associated Press that Mr Tekebayev was likely to tender his resignation on Monday.

Despite his frustrations with the legislature, Mr Bakiev pledged to give more power to parliament when he was elected president in July.

He is to hold a referendum next year to ask people if they want power to be held predominantly by the president or the parliament, or to be shared between the two.

Currently most power in Kyrgyzstan is held by the president.

Mr Bakiev came to power following an uprising in March which ousted former President Askar Akayev from office.