Two candidates for Kyrgyzstan`s presidency withdraw from race

BISHKEK, July 23 (Itar-Tass) - Candidate from Kyrgyzstan's United
Opposition Almazbek Atambayev and self-nominated candidate Zhenishbek
Nazaraliyev have announced their intention to withdraw from the ongoing
presidential election in the republic.
They told about this at a news conference in Bishkek on Thursday.
Atambayev said the opposition would call on its supporters to take to
streets later in the day and "tomorrow if need be."
"If we do not want to recognize this election legitimate, this means
that we refuse to run in the race," he told reporters.
According to the opposition, in the town of Balykchi, east of Bishkek,
police used arms to disperse the rally of the opposition protesting
against the election's organization and arrested two leaders of the United
Opposition's regional offices.
Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry confirmed that supporters of
the opposition took to streets of Balykchi, but denied that police used
arms and tear gas against protesters.

-0-isk/gor