The embattled president of Kyrgyzstan refused to step down yesterday after fleeing his capital, even as the opposition formed an interim government and said they had taken control of the country.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who is believed to have found refuge in his home area in the south of the central Asian state, said in a statement: “I declare that I have not laid down and will not lay down my powers.”
But Mr Bakiyev admitted he was powerless to influence the violent events unfolding in his country and accused the opposition of illegally attempting to overthrow the state. “The eyes of the whole world are fixed on the bloody events happening in Kyrgyzstan,” he said