Some 5,000 demonstrators have assembled in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, where an opposition rally demanding early presidential elections and constitutional reforms has entered its third day, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.
Opposition leaders are again expected to address the crowd on the city's central Alatoo Square, outside the government building.
Demonstrators are demanding that President Kurmanbek Bakiev resign for failing to implement promised reforms.
Opposition representatives said they expect more people to join the rally as the workday ends.
In the meantime, a group of protesters has left Alatoo Square and is marching toward the Interior Ministry building to protest a police parade earlier today that ended at Alatoo Square.
The first day of the demonstrations -- April 11 -- drew a crowd estimated at 10,000 people. By the next day the crowd had dwindled to some 2,000.
Presidential Press Secretary Nurlan Shakiev has confirmed to RFE/RL that the head of the presidential administration has been dismissed. Shakiev did not give a reason why Miktybek Abduldaev was fired.
News of the dismissal reached opposition protesters outside the government building, who said it was an indication there are big problems within the government.
Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
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