U.S. President Barack Obama has condemned violence that has taken place in protest-hit Kyrgyzstan and called for the restoration of peace and order in the republic, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has said.
"The President has been closely following the events in Kyrgyzstan, and continues to monitor the situation with his National Security Team. We urge that calm be restored to Bishkek and other affected areas in a manner consistent with democratic principles and with respect for human rights," Gibbs said in a statement.
Obama is currently in the Czech capital, Prague, where a signing ceremony of the new Russian-U.S. strategic arms reduction treaty took place on Thursday.
"We deplore the use of deadly force by some of the security services against the demonstrators and by some demonstrators and continue to be concerned by ongoing looting and disorder," Gibbs said, adding "the United States looks forward to continuing our productive relationship with the people of Kyrgyzstan and the renewal of Kyrgyzstan's democratic path."
Protests began in the northwestern Kyrgyz town of Talas on Tuesday and spread to other regions of the country, including the capital, Bishkek, on Wednesday and Thursday.
At least 75 people have been killed and more than 1400 injured in the unrest, which has seen the opposition take power and name Roza Otunbayeva the country's new prime minister.
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who has fled Bishkek and is hiding in the country's south, said on Thursday he no longer has any real power but vowed not to resign. He has said he is ready for talks with the self-appointed provisional government.
The government has promised to hold presidential elections in six months time.
WASHINGTON, April 8 (RIA Novosti)
