Kyrgyz rebel mayor makes a stand

Kyrgyzstan's interim government suffered a humiliating blow yesterday as a powerful opponent refused to step down as mayor of a southern city devastated by deadly ethnic violence two months ago.

Melis Myrzakmatov - a self-avowed Kyrgyz nationalist in this former Soviet republic in Central Asia - told a rally of about 3,000 people in Osh's main square that he would defy government efforts to fire him.

"I am going nowhere. I am with the people, I am with you," he told the crowd to loud cheers.

His show of force challenged the authority of the interim government, which took power after former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was ousted in a bloody street revolt in April.

In June, renewed violence between ethnic Kyrgyz mobs and minority Uzbeks killed at least 370 people, mainly Uzbeks, and forced 400,000 others to flee.

Mr Myrzakmatov, a former Bakiyev loyalist, has fought to keep his job despite his ally's ouster. His supporters delivered fiery speeches condemning the government and calling for interim President Roza Otunbayeva to step down.

The government's deputy leader Azimbek Beknazarov stood flanked by bodyguards and held a reinforced briefcase to his chest at the rally.

He was heckled as he gave a brief speech, saying "Myrzakmatov is still mayor of Osh, even though he was offered other jobs in the interim government".