KYRGYZSTAN’S new leaders appeared to have fallen out over the composition of their country’s parliament yesterday, raising fresh fears of a civil war after the removal of President Akayev last week.

Felix Kulov, the acting security chief, surprised many people by announcing that he recognised the parliament produced by the flawed election that led to last week’s lightning revolution.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the acting President and Prime Minister, had endorsed the old parliament, which was reinstated after Kyrgyzstan became the third former Soviet republic in 18 months to topple its leader.

In chaotic scenes at the parliament building yesterday, the new legislature met in the main chamber while the old parliament held a parallel session in a smaller room, as deputies battled for their political futures.

Thick snow as well as policing by armed officers and civilian volunteers appeared to have quelled the looting that has left at least seven people dead since Thursday night, but the parliamentary row has rekindled fears of a conflict between the north, where Mr Kulov hails from, and the south, which provides Mr Bakiyev’s base. “If we can’t agree, we will not avoid a civil war,” Azimbek Beknazarov, the acting Prosecutor-General, said.

Mr Kulov was freed from prison after thousands of opposition supporters stormed the presidential headquarters on Thursday, forcing Mr Akayev to flee to Russia. The Opposition had accused the deposed President of rigging the election to fill the new parliament with allies and relatives, who could then change the constitution to prolong his rule.

The new parliament contains powerful business figures, some of whom are rumoured to have paid up to $500,000 (£270,000) each for a seat, which grants immunity from prosecution.

In an unexpected move yesterday Mr Kulov said that he would obey orders only from the new parliament and told the old one not to cause trouble. “Whether you like it or not, you were elected for five years,” he told the old deputies. “If you call people out on to the streets, I’ll take measures to arrest you; please don’t take offence.”

The Central Election Commission had also recognised the new parliament earlier in the day, despite a Supreme Court ruling last week reinstating the old one.

Many of those who supported last week’s uprising were incredulous. “This unfair election was the very cause of the revolution,” Ashirkul Ulu-Toktorbek, a Bishkek lawyer, said. “The new parliament simply bought its mandate. If it stays, the people will protest again.”

Ermek Khylychev, a member of the old parliament, said: “Bakiyev is already nothing and Kulov is almost President. People from the south might not agree with this and there could be a civil war.”

Western diplomats echoed those fears. “The danger is that the members of the new parliament call their supporters on to the streets,” one said. “The new Government is going to have to work very quickly to resolve this and to consolidate its control of the whole country.”

Jan Kubis, the Secretary- General of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, arrived yesterday to help to resolve the crisis. The organisation is to send three independent constitutional and legal experts to help to unravel the parliamentary dispute.

Although Mr Akayev has fled to Russia, he has refused to resign the presidency and vowed to return to Kyrgyzstan. He still has a few supporters, and yesterday more than 100 temporarily blocked a main road linking his home town of Kemin to the capital, 50 miles away.

However, Keneshbek Dushenbayev, the ousted Interior Minister, failed in an attempt to lead thousands of Akayev supporters to Bishkek over the weekend.

Explore World News

• World Agenda

• Iraq News

• US & Americas News

• Europe News

• Middle East News

• Asia News

• Africa News

• Ireland News

Times Recommends

• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Indian Army spends10m rupees on golf buggies
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating