Opposition in charge after Kyrgyzstan revolution

Opposition leaders moved to consolidate their control over Kyrgyzstan after their victory in a bloody uprising, saying they would hold power for six months and assuring the US it can keep a strategic air base here – at least for now.

There were signs of instability, though, as deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev refused yesterday to relinquish power after the revolt, which left at least 75 people dead and hundreds wounded.

As he spoke, gunfire broke out after nightfall in the capital, Bishkek; there were no reports of casualties today from the nighttime shooting.

Roving bands of armed marauders trawled the streets of the capital overnight, despite warnings from the opposition leadership that looters would be shot.

Newly appointed security officials warned they would use every means to restore calm.

A mourning ceremony for clash victims was planned for later today in Ala-Too Square near the government headquarters and security was likely to be heavy amid the intense emotions there.

The former Soviet nation is home to a key US military base supporting the fighting in Afghanistan that opposition figures in the past said they wanted to see shut down.

Kyrgyzstan also hosts a Russian military base and is the only nation where both Cold War foes have bases.

Roza Otunbayeva, a former foreign minister now heading the interim government, said there were no plans yet to review the lease agreement for the Manas air base, which runs out in July. She said her government would meet US diplomats for talks in Bishkek.

“Give us time, it will take time for us to understand and fix the situation,” Ms Otunbayeva said.

US military officials said Kyrgyzstan halted flights for 12 hours on Wednesday, confining troops to the air base; they did not say if flights had resumed.

Some 1,100 troops are stationed there, including contingents from Spain and France, in support of Nato operations in Afghanistan.

President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev discussed Kyrgyzstan before signing an arms treaty in Prague yesterday.