BISHKEK, November 9 (RIA Novosti) - Kyrgyzstan's president signed a new Constitution Thursday that restricts his powers, following eight days of mass protests staged by the opposition.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev and opposition lawmakers agreed to the new Constitution Wednesday, which will strip the president of the right to dissolve parliament and will authorize legislators to appoint the prime minister and the Cabinet.
Hundreds of troops and police have been withdrawn from central Bishkek, the capital of the post-Soviet Central Asian state. The square is being cleaned up following the turbulent events of the past week, and the opposition is preparing for a victory celebration.
However, some 1,000 to 2,000 presidential supporters reportedly gathered in the central square Thursday demanding the dissolution of parliament and a referendum on the Constitution.
Mass rallies in support of Bakiyev were reported in the country's major cities Wednesday in response to the opposition-led protests in the capital. A confrontation between opposition supporters and government backers in Bishkek culminated in violent clashes Tuesday, leaving at least six people injured.
