Omurbek Tekebaev addressing parliament today (RFE/RL)
BISHKEK, 20 February 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyz parliament speaker Omurbek Tekebaev remains in his post after lawmakers rejected his resignation, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.
Thirty-four lawmakers voted for the resignation in a secret ballot today, while a minimum of 38 votes were needed.
On 13 February, Tekebaev told parliament he preferred to resign rather than to apologize for the comments he made about President Kurmanbek Bakiev.
There were calls for Tekebayev to step down after an independent television channel aired comments by the parliament speaker in which he referred to Bakiev as "a dog" and suggested the president "hang himself from the first tree."
RFE/RL Central Asia Report
RFE/RL Central Asia Report
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