Omurbek Tekebaev officially resigned from his post as speaker of Kyrgyzstan\'s parliament on 27 February. Parliament, which had previously failed to confirm his resignation, accepted Tekebaev\'s decision, with 53 legislators voting in favor. Tekebaev initially offered his resignation after referring to President Kurmanbek Bakiev as a \"dog.\" Tekebaev said that his final decision to resign came after two days of consultations with the heads of committees and voting blocs. Bakiev\'s office issued a statement on 27 February saying that the president will not interfere in parliament\'s efforts to elect a new speaker. Deputy speaker Bolot Sherniyazov also resigned on 27 February. (gazeta.kg)