(CNN)Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov resigned on Thursday after days of protests over a disputed parliamentary election, saying he wants to prevent clashes and bloodshed between security forces and protesters.
"For me, peace in Kyrgyzstan, the integrity of the country, the unity of our people and tranquility in society are above all. There is nothing dearer to me than the life of each of my compatriots," Jeenbekov said in an announcement published on the presidential website.
"I'm not holding on to power. I do not want to remain in the history of Kyrgyzstan as the President who shed blood and shot at his own citizens. Therefore, I've decided to resign."
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