Russia on Thursday threw its weight behind...

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone with Kyrgyz opposition-nominated premier Roza Otunbayeva, who asked Moscow for economic assistance, Putin"s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"It is important to note that the conversation was held with Otunbayeva in her capacity as the head of a national confidence government," Peskov said. He said Putin told Otunbayeva that Russia was ready to offer humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan.

Otunbayeva declared earlier on Thursday that her provisional government was dismissing parliament and taking over from President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his government.

She told a press conference the provisional government will work for six months to stabilize the situation, prepare changes in the constitution and hold presidential elections. The opposition accuses Bakiyev of mishandling the impoverished country and encouraging nepotism.

The protests began in the northwestern Kyrgyz town of Talas on Tuesday after a few opposition

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