World briefs 3/27/05

Kyrgyz parliament tries to restore order

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan -- Kyrgyzstan's parliament on Saturday scrambled to restore order to a country gripped by anxiety after the overthrow of the president and said new presidential elections would be held June 26. Police said they had halted rampaging looters after two nights of violent upheaval in the capital. And in Parliament competing groups met in separate chambers, each claiming to represent the people. President Askar Akayev, who disappeared on Thursday after protesters stormed the presidential and government headquarters in a swelling protest demanding his resignation, had taken refuge in Russia, the Kremlin confirmed on Saturday.

Beirut bomb blast rocks mainly Christian suburb

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- A bomb blast set off huge fires in a mainly Christian suburb of Beirut on Saturday, injuring five people in the third such attack in eight days. Opposition leaders blamed Syria, saying Damascus hoped to sow fear as it withdraws troops from Lebanon. The latest attack raised tensions another notch in Lebanon, which has been gripped by political turmoil over Syria's presence since the Feb. 14 assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri.

Israeli opposition leader will back state budget

JERUSALEM -- A powerful Israeli opposition leader reached agreement with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon late Saturday to support the state budget, removing the last major legislative hurdle to Sharon's plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip this summer. The support from the opposition Shinui Party would ensure Sharon a majority for his budget, which he needs to pass by Thursday to avoid the collapse of his government. A majority in parliament has repeatedly supported the Gaza pullout.