Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who...
order for security forces to shoot at looters.Despite the chaos, Bishkek Mayor Nariman Tuleyev has said that vital services would be maintained. Street sweepers, out as usual on Thursday morning, could be seen clearing up the debris from the violent protests.
Major political unrest started in Kyrgyzstan last month when the opposition forces accused the government of tightening its grip on power while failing to bring stability and economic growth.
Opposition supporters on Wednesday seized a number of state institutions in Bishkek. The government and opposition leaders held talks, but the Kabar news agency reported that they failed.
Reaction
Both Russia and the United States both have military bases in Kyrgyzstan and have taken a keen interest in the events there.
A Russian Air Force spokesman said on Thursday that the Russian airbase in Kant, around 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, was functioning normally.