Kyrgyzstan's President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has reportedly left the country after two days of violent mass protests in which dozens of people have been killed.
Opposition leaders said Mr. Bakiyev left his office and was seen flying out of the country in an airplane from the Manas international airport.
Prime Minister Usenov has signed a letter of resignation, clearing the way for the Opposition to form its own government. A “Cabinet of people's trust” has been headed by Opposition leader Roza Otunbayeva.
Kyrgyzstan's Health Ministry said 40 people died and more than 400 were wounded in clashes with police and troops as Opposition supporters stormed Parliament, took control of state television, ransacked the security services headquarters and set on fire the office of the Prosecutor- General.
Protests broke out Tuesday in the northwest city of Talas after the government refused to meet the demands of an opposition kurultai, a people's assembly, held in mid-March. The opposition had called for revoking recent hikes in utility prices and the sell-out of state assets to Mr. Bakiyev's son.
On Wednesday, rioters in Talas took hostage a Deputy Prime Minister and beat up the Interior Minister, who later reportedly succumbed to wounds.
Authorities declared a state of emergency and arrested most opposition leaders but later let them out with an offer of talks. Meanwhile, the situation spiralled out of control as violence spread to other parts of the country.
The events are unfolding along the same scenario as in March-April 2005, when the opposition overthrew then President Askar Akayev.
Mr. Bakiyev, who replaced him, promised to fight rampant corruption and raise living standards but installed his numerous relatives to key government and business positions. Mr. Akayev, who lives in Moscow, blamed the U.S. for the violence.
“Five years ago the Americans staged the ‘tulip' coup… and installed a criminal regime under the banner of democracy,” he said.
“Today we're reaping the fruit of the U.S. policies.”
