Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who has fled the capital Bishkek amid violent opposition protests, has said in an interview broadcast on the BBC Russian Service it was unlikely that a civil war would begin in the country.
"I do not think it will come to this. Here, in the south [of the country], the situation is quieter, both the right-wing and left-wing are trying to understand each other, to avoid bloodshed," Bakiyev said on Thursday, adding "in a certain sense", there was a "split" in the country, but the situation can be improved.
At least 75 people have been killed and more than 1400 injured in the unrest, which began on Tuesday in the northwestern Kyrgyz town of Talas and spread on Wednesday to other regions of the country, including Bishkek.
The protests have seen the opposition take power and name Roza Otunbayeva the country's new prime minister. The provisional government has claimed it has the support of the country's armed forces, border guards and police.
Bakiyev said on Thursday he no longer has any real power but vowed not to resign. Speaking on the BBC Russian Service later in the day, he said he was ready to hold talks with the opposition.
"If the so-called provisional government, who is self-appointed, is ready to enter into negotiations with me, I am ready to listen to them, to listen what they want," he said.
He said the events which have taken place in the former Soviet republic have been a "big surprise" for him, adding he hoped for moral support from the international community.
In the interview with Ekho Moskvy, Bakiyev said he believes Russia has not "abandoned him," despite the fact that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Otunbayeva talked by telephone in a clear sign Russia was not opposed to the provisional government in Kyrgyzstan.
MOSCOW, April 9(RIA Novosti)
