Kyrgyz opposition leaders declare seizure of power

Opposition leaders in Kyrgyzstan have declared their seizure of power, after clashes between police and protesters brought down the government.

The opposition says they are transitioning to a new government, headed by their leader Roza Otunbayeva. The announcement came as protesters had taken over government buildings in the capital Bishkek and two regional government headquarters.

The country's president Kurmanbek Bakiyev has fled to the southern city of Osh, his main power base. Otunbayeva says she has dissolved parliament and is expecting President Bakiyev to negotiate his resignation.

Roza Otunbayeva, Opposition Gov't Leader, said, "Both the National Security Service and the Interior Ministry - all of them are already under the management of the new people. We had to take control here because the question of security is a question of top priority."

Omurbek Tekebayev, Leader of Ata-Meken Opposition Party, said, "The head of the temporary government is the Central Executive Committee which was formed by the national assembly. We decided that the Central Executive Committee will temporarily head the executive branch of authority, until elections, which undoubtedly will be held in the nearest future."