Kyrgyz President-Elect Appoints Acting First Deputy PM

Feliks Kulov (file photo) 12 July 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyzstan's President-elect Kurmanbek Bakiev has appointed his political ally Feliks Kulov to be Kyrgyzstan's acting first deputy prime minister, effective today, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Last month, Kulov suspended his work as acting first deputy prime minister to help with Bakiev's presidential election campaign.

Bakiev and Kulov had formed a tandem: if Bakiev won the 11 July election -- which he did -- Kulov would serve as his prime minister. Under the deal, Kulov dropped out of the presidential race.

Bakiev is expected to be inaugurated in August.

(RFE/AKIpress)