Mr Akayev\'s address was shown on national TV. Kyrgyzstan\'s parliament has heard a taped resignation speech by ousted President Askar Akayev. Mr Akayev said he had intended to step down after October elections anyway, and that his last order as Kyrgyzstan\'s leader for 15 years was \"not to shoot\". But MPs have yet to accept his resignation, amid a row over the rights and privileges he would retain. \"Dear Deputies! I officially declare today that I resigned ahead of time from the post of president of Kyrgyzstan,\" he said in the address. Mr Akayev went on to call for fair polls, stressed that relations with Russia should remain a priority, and warned against using \"outside forces\" to settle Kyrgyzstan\'s internal affairs. He said that he had prevented a civil war by ordering the country\'s armed forces not to open fire, as protesters stormed Mr Akayev\'s offices two weeks ago. \"I am convinced that in the future the Akayev period will be recognised as a bright period in Kyrgyz history. I did all that I could, but let whoever comes next do more.\" At the end of the 18-minute address, Mr Akayev was shown standing next to the Kyrgyz flag, holding up the resignation agreement he signed for Kyrgyz lawmakers visiting Moscow on Monday. Kyrgyzstan\'s new interim leaders had wanted Mr Akayev to formally resign so that fresh presidential elections could be held to decide his successor. But parliament has yet to decide on whether to accept his resignation. Some lawmakers say Mr Akayev should be impeached, or even put on trial for having fled the country at such a critical moment. If he were allowed to resign, he would retain the parliamentary immunity and certain privileges granted to heads of state. (BBC)