MOSCOW, June 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Kyrgyzstan's acting first deputy prime minister, Felix Kulov, has resigned in order to join the presidential election team of acting President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the Interfax news agency reported from Kyrgyz capital Beshkek on Monday.

    "National law does not permit me to participate in Bakiyev's election campaign as an official, so I am resigning from the post of first deputy prime minister," Kulov told a Monday briefing where he announced his plan to join Bakiyev's election team.

    "Under the present conditions, unity between the north and the south of the country is essential for the coming presidential elections to take place in conditions of political stability," he said.

    "The Kulov-Bakiyev political team has not changed in any way and will continue to work energetically," he added.

    The presidential election in Kyrgyzstan is scheduled for July 10, which was called after a March uprising ousted longtime leader Askar Akayev.

    Previously a rival of Bakiyev, Kulov formed an alliance with the acting president, saying they wanted to help unite the country. Bakiyev has been the front-runner in the presidential race, in which seven candidates are vying for thecountry's top post. Enditem