Kyrgyz President May Resign

Though an interim Kyrgyz government was set up after protesters took control of government buildings last week, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has not yet formally stepped down. Amid violent protests in the Central Asian country's capital city, Bakiyev fled to his hometown in southern Kyrgyzstan, and CNN now reports that he will agree to resign as long as he and his family are allowed to leave the country safely. Allegations of corruption could throw a wrench in the deal, however. Bakiyev's son has been accused of questionable dealings with foreign companies, and several relatives and associates are now facing criminal charges. The interim government has lifted his immunity as head of state, which Bakiyev says he does not accept. The U.S. is watching the events in Kyrgyzstan closely, as a military base there is key to keeping troops in Afghanistan supplied.