Police operation frees Talas governor

The governor of Kyrgyzstan's Talas Region, seized by opposition protesters, has been freed in a police operation.

Around 1,000 people demonstrating against soaring energy prices occupied the regional government building earlier on Tuesday, taking the governor hostage.

The country's Interior Ministry says police forces later stormed the building and freed the leader.

Policemen and servicemen clash with opposition supporters outside a government office during a rally in the northwestern town of Talas April 6, 2010. REUTERS/www.azattyk.org