A senior figure in Kyrgyzstan's new administration has promised to protect ousted President Askar Akayev if he returns home and formally resigns.
Felix Kulov said "a guarantee of... personal safety will be provided".
Mr Akayev fled Kyrgyzstan for Russia last week, when opposition supporters stormed his headquarters.
But he broke his silence to speak to Russian media on Tuesday, saying he was prepared to resign if he was given "relevant guarantees".
The interim government wants the long-time leader to step down to remove any uncertainty over their own legal authority as they prepare for new presidential elections in June.
Mr Kulov told a press conference on Wednesday that Mr Akayev should have no doubts over his safety if he returns to his home country.
"He will have bodyguards, even more than usual, the property where he lives will be guarded, as will his movements and his meetings," Mr Kulov was quoted as saying.
But Mr Akayev has already said that he does not trust the assurances of Mr Kulov, who spent the past four years in prison after being accused of corruption.
Mr Akayev has said he would be prepared to hold talks with the Speaker of the new Kyrgyz parliament, Omurbek Tekebayev - who has also agreed to meet Mr Akayev, but only to discuss his resignation.
First parliamentary session
Since Mr Akayev was overthrown on 24 March, Kyrgyzstan's new leaders have been seeking to legitimise their rule.
But key members of the opposition have already had a series of disagreements, with the new and old parliaments arguing over which was the legitimate body.
The new parliament - voted in after elections in February, which critics claimed were fraudulent - was finally made the official legislature on Tuesday.
It held its first session on Wednesday, but the divisions were still apparent. Four lawmakers walked out of the session when an ally of Mr Akayev tried to take his oath of office, according to the Associated Press news agency.
While the question of Mr Akayev's resignation remains uncertain, contenders for new presidential elections have begun to emerge.
The acting President, Kurmanbek Bakiev, has already said that he will run for president.
But other members of the former opposition are now putting their names forward.
New presidential elections have already been announced for June, but the date must still be confirmed by the new parliament.
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©