Thousands rally in support of Kyrgyzstan’s deposed president in test of his strength

Supporters of Kyrgyzstan’s deposed president rally

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan — Several thousand supporters of Kyrgyzstan’s deposed president are rallying, in a test of his ability to resist opposition forces that drove him out of the capital last week.

Supporters of Kurmanbek Bakiyev are speaking at the square in Jalal-Abad and some of his brothers are mingling in the crowd. Bakiyev himself is expected to appear soon.

Tuesday’s rally follows a smaller gathering of about 500 people in his home village the day before.

The self-declared interim government in the capital has threatened to arrest Bakiyev, who has warned that there will be bloodshed if they try.

The instability worries the West because a U.S. air base in Kyrgyzstan is crucial in the military campaign against the Taliban in Afghanistan.