Kyrgyzstan's fractious parliament named a new prime minister and formed a government on Friday, ending weeks of political uncertainty in the ex-Soviet nation.
Social Democrat Party leader Almazbek Atambayev was named premier with 92 out of 114 votes. His appointment ends a political deadlock after last month's election that produced a new and empowered parliament that can approve a government and appoint a prime minister.
Atambayev, 44, had already served as premier under President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, but resigned in 2007 to join the opposition. His party spearheaded the overthrow of Bakiyev in violent street protests in April.
The lawmakers also approved a new government formed by three of the five parties that won the October election.
Kyrgyzstan has been struggling to return to normality after deadly ethnic riots in the south in June that left hundreds dead, mostly minority Uzbeks.
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The mountainous, impoverished nation of five million hosts the Manas US air base, a vital supply stop for the Afghan war effort, as well as a Russian air base.
