Kyrgyz president 'offers to resign'

Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the president of Kyrgyzstan, has said he is ready to resign as long as his safety is guaranteed.

The offer came after sources told Al Jazeera that soldiers were on their way to arrest him in his southern power base of Jalal'abad, where he was holding a rally of about 5,000 supporters on Tuesday.

"In what case would I resign? First of all, they should guarantee that in Kyrgyzstan there are no more people walking around with weapons, and no seizures or redistribution of property," Bakiyev told reporters on Tuesday while sitting at a table outside his house.

"Also, I need to know that my own security and the security of members of my family and those close to me will be assured."

Other reports said the interim government was willing to provide security for Bakiyev, who fled amid riots last week that killed 83 people in the capital Bishkek.

Source : http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/04/2010413225321513479.html