Kyrgyzstan is holding a day of national mourning for the victims of bloody protests which ousted the government.Thousands of mourners gathered in the main square of the capital, Bishkek today to remember those killed in Wednesday's violence. The first funerals are being held for those who died in the unrest which forced President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee the capital.Mr Bakiyev has refused to resign but has offered to talk to the opposition, which has set up an interim government.Both the US and Russia have key military bases in Kyrgyzstan, and are watching the situation there closely.Meanwhile, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has offered to hold talks, with what he called, the temporary government that has replaced his administration. But Mr Bakiyev, who was forced to flee the capital Bishkek amid a bloody uprising, insisted he will not resign. In a telephone interview with the BBC, Mr Bakiyev said he was in southern Kyrgyzstan but will not disclose his exact location. So far there has been no official response to Mr Bakiyev's offer of talks.The opposition says it has taken full power, under a former foreign minister. Reports say that the situation is slowly going back to normal in Bishkek.
News On AIR | April 9, 2010 6:28 PM
National mourning in Kyrgyzstan