Fresh Kyrgyzstan clashes

ONE person has died and more than 60 have been injured as gunfire erupted in Kyrgyzstan during clashes between backers of the interim government and supporters of Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who was deposed as president on 7 April.

The opponents exchanged gunshots, hurled stones and fought with sticks for control of the regional government building in Jalal-Abad, the administrative centre of a province in south-western Kyrgyzstan.

The government's backers also ejected a pro-Bakiyev crowd yesterday from the regional government offices in Osh, the country's second-largest city, about 45 miles from Jalal-Abad. No serious injuries were reported.