year rule of the mainly Muslim country. But there was also little left of the early enthusiasm which had first greeted the collapse of the old government. "I fear it will be worse because there is instability," said Alexander Shirbina, a 57-year-old photographer. "Under Akayev things were not great. But they should have waited until an election to get rid of him. A coup is no good." Crucially for the opposition, Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have given his blessing to the new leadership. "He was very interested in what sort of help is needed. We are very grateful to the Russian leadership," Bakiev told parliament after speaking to Putin by phone on Friday. Putin had earlier offered sanctuary to Akayev who is now widely reported to be in Moscow. --Mor 2102 Local Time 1802 GMT
