Kyrgyzstan's Otunbayeva handed presidential authority

Leader of the provisional Kyrgyz government Roza Otunbayeva was given presidential power until elections are held in the country.

The government adopted a decree that delegates power to an interim president until December 31, 2011. The document named interim Premier Otunbayeva as the provisional president, but also envisages a nationwide referendum on the issue as an option.

BISHKEK, May 19 (RIA Novosti)