UPDATE ~ Kyrgyz president Akayev agrees to resign with legal protection News
UPDATE ~ Kyrgyz president Akayev agrees to resign with legal protection

[JURIST] Ousted Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev [BBC News profile] said Tuesday that he would be willing to resign if given "relevant" legal protections. Akayev made the statement in an interview with a Russian television station while he is staying outside Moscow. The statement conflicted with an earlier message from Akayev that he remained the legitimate leader of Kyrgyzstan and would not resign his post. Akayev was forced to flee the country after protesters stormed the government headquarters last week following disputed parliamentary elections. Akayev may have been swayed to back down on his comments after the former and newly elected parliaments agreed over the past two days to recognize the new legislators. AP has more.