Ousted Kyrgyz Prez offers to step down; asks for safety

"I will resign if my and my relatives' security is guaranteed," Bakiyev said in a hurriedly summoned press conference in Jalal-Abad, his native place in the country's south where he has taken shelter.

He also demanded that the new authorities restore law and order and stop armed people from roaming around on the streets. "I will go into retirement if security for me and my family is guaranteed."
Bakiyev's statement came as Vice Premier of the interim government Azymbek Beknazarov said the deposed president must return to the capital Bishkek, failing which special forces would launch operation to arrest him.

"The interim government has passed a decree removing the immunity of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev," Beknazarov was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.
However, Bakiyev refused to return to the capital and instead invited the head of the interim government Roza Otunbayeva to his hometown for talks.
"I will not go to Bishkek. Let Otunbayeva come for talks. We will ensure her safety," he said.
After bloody unrest on April 7, Bakiyev had fled to his native region of Jalal-Abad in the south of the country.

A court in Bishkek also issued arrest warrants against his brother and elder son for spilling the blood of protesters on April 7, which ended in mass rioting.