Kyrgyz interim leader Roza Otunbayeva has arrived in Osh in the south of the country, the scene of the country's worst ethnic violence in decades.At least 191 people were killed in fighting between Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbeks around Osh and Jalalabad.
About 400,000 people have been displaced by the unrest, with many Uzbeks fleeing into Uzbekistan.
The Red Cross (ICRC) has described the situation as an "immense crisis", with shortages of basic necessities.
Speaking in Osh's main square, Ms Otunbayeva said: "I came here to see, to speak with the people and hear first hand what happened here. We will do everything to rebuild this city."
She rejected criticism of her interim government's handling of the crisis.
"Stop saying that we are not working," Agence France-Presse news agency quoted her as saying. "Our forces say that they are coping."
The Kyrgyz government had earlier appealed to Russia to send in peacekeeping troops. But Moscow rejected the request, offering instead technical assistance to track those committing the violence.
Ms Otunbayeva is scheduled to meet local leaders and visit hospitals during the trip.
The unrest last week came two months after the country's former president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was forced out of office.
Ms Otunbayeva's government has blamed the former leader for stoking the conflict.
The Kyrgyz government had earlier appealed to Russia to send in peacekeeping troops. But Moscow rejected the request, offering instead technical assistance to track those committing the violence.
Ms Otunbayeva is scheduled to meet local leaders and visit hospitals during the trip.
The unrest last week came two months after the country's former president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was forced out of office.
Ms Otunbayeva's government has blamed the former leader for stoking the conflict.
Washington's top Central Asia diplomat, Robert Blake, is due for talks with Kyrgyz officials in Bishkek.
He visited refugees in camps in the Uzbek border city of Andijan on Friday.
"It is important to establish peace for your safe return," Reuters news agency reported him as telling people in the camps.
"An investigation should be carried out to prevent this in the future."
He visited refugees in camps in the Uzbek border city of Andijan on Friday.
"It is important to establish peace for your safe return," Reuters news agency reported him as telling people in the camps.
"An investigation should be carried out to prevent this in the future."
Makeshift camps
Eyewitnesses say Kyrgyz mobs began attacking people in Uzbek areas of Osh and Jalalabad in the early hours of Friday last week.
Many observers have said the death toll could be higher than the official figure of 191.
Ms Otunbayeva was quoted by the Russian daily Kommersant as saying that she would "multiply by 10 times the official figures", because of the custom of family burying loved ones as soon as possible.
Many observers have said the death toll could be higher than the official figure of 191.
Ms Otunbayeva was quoted by the Russian daily Kommersant as saying that she would "multiply by 10 times the official figures", because of the custom of family burying loved ones as soon as possible.
About 300,000 people have fled their homes, while another 75,000-100,000 people - not counting children - are thought to have taken refuge in Uzbekistan.
In the refugee camps in Uzbekistan, there are many reports of rape and severe beatings.
Some aid has begun to arrive in the region, but the ICRC says refugees are running short of basic supplies. At least 40,000 refugees were without shelter.
The organisation said insecurity and fear, combined with shortages of basic necessities like food, water, shelter and medicine, were putting a tremendous strain on communities, hospitals and families.
Kyrgyzstan's interim leaders have been struggling to impose their authority since coming to power after President Bakiyev was overthrown in April.
The government believes allies of Mr Bakiyev, who now lives in exile in Belarus, want to derail a national referendum on constitutional reform scheduled for 27 June.
But the government has said it will go ahead with the referendum despite the clashes.
Ethnic Uzbeks have largely supported the interim government, but Mr Bakiyev remains popular with many Kyrgyz in the south.
In the refugee camps in Uzbekistan, there are many reports of rape and severe beatings.
Some aid has begun to arrive in the region, but the ICRC says refugees are running short of basic supplies. At least 40,000 refugees were without shelter.
The organisation said insecurity and fear, combined with shortages of basic necessities like food, water, shelter and medicine, were putting a tremendous strain on communities, hospitals and families.
Kyrgyzstan's interim leaders have been struggling to impose their authority since coming to power after President Bakiyev was overthrown in April.
The government believes allies of Mr Bakiyev, who now lives in exile in Belarus, want to derail a national referendum on constitutional reform scheduled for 27 June.
But the government has said it will go ahead with the referendum despite the clashes.
Ethnic Uzbeks have largely supported the interim government, but Mr Bakiyev remains popular with many Kyrgyz in the south.
0 comments