Moscow/ Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - Several thousand people gathered in a nationwide protest Friday of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev ahead of elections in July.

"Our goal is for honest and transparent elections, and as a result to elect a man who will have the trust of his people," opposition leader Temur Sariev told crowds of over 1,000 in Bishkek, news agency Interfax reported.

Moscow/Bishkek  - Kyrgyzstan's parliament on Friday set early presidential elections for July 23, timing that observers say hands the advantage to incumbent Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Bakiyev, who came to power on the back of popular protest dubbed the Tulip revolution in 2005, announced last month he would seek a second term.

The former hero of the revolution was elected to a four-year term, but that was amended in the constitution to five. But with the declaration last month that new elections should take place in 2010, Bakiyev sparked public debate on the question.

Bishkek, Moscow  - Kyrgyzstan's parliament approved on Thursday the closure of a US air base on its territory, which has been crucial for supplying US and NATO troops in Afghanistan.

The decision was overwhelmingly passed with 78 votes for and 1 vote against, Russian news agencies reported. It comes one day after US President Barack Obama ordered 17,000 more forces to Afghanistan to combat a growing Taliban insurgency.

Moscow/Bishkek  -

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan/Moscow - At least 65 people are believed dead in the crash of an Itek Air Boeing 737 passenger liner shortly after takeoff from Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek, the Kyrgyz authorities said early Monday.

The ill-fated airliner, bound for Tehran, was completely consumed by fire, according to the Civil Defence Ministry.

Tokon Mamitov, an advisor to Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev, announced the revised death toll, the Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported.

Nine medical workers, who due to their negligence were responsible to infect 24 children with the virus of HIV, have been convicted by a court in the Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan.

All from one hospital, three doctors have been sentenced to three years of jail for causing infection through negligence. Another six medical workers were not found guilty and thus the charges against them were dropped.