Kyrgyz Opposition Topples Government, Dissolves Parliament

An opposition coalition in Kyrgyzstan proclaimed an interim government Thursday in the wake of clashes that left dozens dead nationwide, and said it would rule for six months before calling new elections.

Photo: Kyrgyz Opposition Topples Government, Dissolves Parliament

Opposition leader Roza Otunbayeva said she would head the interim government, and that the parliament was dissolved. She said the new government controlled four of Kyrgyzstan's seven provinces in the Central Asian nation, which is home to a key U.S. military base that the opposition has said it wants to close.

Otunbayeva urged President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to resign after he fled the capital amid violent clashes that started on Tuesday. Thousands of protesters have clashed with security forces throughout the country, driving out local governments and on Thursday seizing government headquarters in the capital, The Associated Press reported.

According to RIA Novosti, Roza Otunbayeva was nominated the Kyrgyz premier by the opposition which has taken control over Kyrgyzstan seizing the key government buildings to oust Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Recent reports on April 8, say that Otunbayeva dismissed parliament and took over from the president and the government. She said the provisional government will be effective for six months.

Officials reported that at least 68 people had been killed and 400 wounded in clashes between police and demonstrators in Bishkek, the capital, and other Kyrgyz cities. However, opposition leaders put the death toll at 100. Neither report could be verified, The Los Angeles Times reported.