Russia on Thursday threw its weight behind...
mass disorders in the country and said it was closely watching the situation. It also called on all sides to refrain from violence and display restraint.Kyrgyzstan has been unstable since Bakiyev took office after the so-called tulip revolution in 2005, but major political unrest began in Kyrgyzstan last month when opposition forces accused the government of tightening its grip on power while failing to bring stability and economic growth.
Kyrgyzstan"s first post-Soviet president Akayev, toppled in 2005, said the country"s south, where Bakiyev has support, will not back him in his clash with the opposition.
Otunbayeva was one of the key figures of the 2005 tulip revolution, which led to the overthrow of then President Akayev.
A Russian Air Force spokesman, Vladimir Drik, said on Thursday that the Russian airbase in Kant, around 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, is functioning normally.