BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Former opposition leaders who took power here last week after protests ousted President Askar A. Akayev were at risk Sunday of splitting into rival camps.
The political contest pitted an outgoing parliament against a new parliament chosen in disputed elections that sparked the political crisis. On Sunday, former opposition leader Felix Kulov, newly appointed as chief of security forces, shocked many of his supporters by bluntly declaring that the outgoing parliament must yield authority to the new legislators, who are strongly pro-Akayev.
It was not immediately clear whether Kulov's statement marked a split with acting President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, a fellow opposition leader who, along with the old parliament, elevated Kulov. The putative allies are currently the country's two most powerful leaders -- and also are potential rivals in a presidential election tentatively set for June 26.
Akayev supporters, meanwhile, have been pressing their own bid for political dominance. They were backed Sunday by the country's Central Election Commission, which issued a decision assigning legitimacy to the new parliament, thereby throwing the issue back into legal limbo. The Supreme Court had issued a ruling last week that favored the old parliament.
All sides, however, said they feared that a three-way struggle for power could lead to renewed street protests and violent clashes, and key figures said they expected a compromise aimed at restoring stability and ending the risk of civil war.
Opposition protests sparked by parliamentary balloting on Feb. 27 and March 13 reached the capital last week, and on Thursday demonstrators took over government offices, prompting Akayev's flight. Disarray has ensued, as political foes try to sort out a new power structure.
Kulov, who had been jailed by Akayev, was released from prison by protesters Thursday and within hours was named security chief.
In an appearance before the old parliament Sunday, Kulov declared, "The new parliament is legitimate, and the old parliament's term has expired. If you call people out onto the streets, I'll take measures to arrest you. Please don't be offended."
The statement provoked outrage among some of his supposed allies. Acting Prosecutor-General Azimbek Beknazarov challenged Kulov, saying: "These are the people who freed you. Will you arrest them?"
