U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates discussed bilateral military cooperation with Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev in Bishkek today, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbaev and Kyrgyzstan's President Kurmanbek Bakiev held talks in Bishkek today aimed at improving bilateral ties, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Kyrgyz protesters demanding President Kurmanbek Bakiev's resignation continued their peaceful rallies in the capital, Bishkek, today. The speaker of the parliament, Marat Sultanov, told reporters that Bakiev was due to meet a group of parliamentarians late in the afternoon. No details were immediately available of the nature of those talks.

A crowd estimated to number more than 10,000 people is rallying on Bishkek's central Alatoo Square to demand the resignation of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev. Other protesters are marching toward the square from various parts of the city.

Opposition efforts to pressure the government gained momentum in several regions of Kyrgyzstan today, with continuing calls for the resignation of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev. The protests come as hunger strikers remain camped outside the Kyrgyz parliament and organizers vow to mobilize huge numbers in the capital on April 11 to demand reforms and early elections.

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almaz Atambaev met today with hunger-striking opposition activists. The activists are demanding the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiev and further constitutional reforms.

The opposition United Front for a Worthy Future is considering campaigning for President Kurmanbek Bakiev's resignation if he refuses to hold early presidential elections and to carry out constitutional reforms, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev today confirmed two new government officials and reappointed five ministers. Under the decree, Culture Minister Sultan Rayev; Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov; Labor and Social Development Ministers Uktomkhan Abdullaeva; Education and Science Minister Kanybek Osmonaliev; and Industry, Energy, and Fuel Resources Minister Igor Chudinov will retain their posts.

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev today confirmed three new government officials as part of a new compromise cabinet aimed at defusing a standoff with the opposition.