Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced on Tuesday that deposed Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev had arrived in Minsk on his invitation and pledged to provide "personal" protection to his ousted counterpart.
Meanwhile, thousands of militia guards are patrolling the streets of the Kygryz capital Bishkek to prevent new violence and looting in the Central Asian republic, which was swept by anti-government protests that claimed more than 80 lives two weeks ago.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for the country's interim authorities to restore the state institutions in Kyrgyzstan as soon as possible to avoid an outbreak of anarchy in the region.
BAKIYEV IN MINSK
Lukashenko said in his annual state-of-the-nation address on Tuesday that Bakiyev had arrived in Minsk late on Monday.
"Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his family are in Minsk under the protection of our state and under my personal [protection]," the Belarusian leader said.
Bakiyev, who was ousted amid violent anti-government protests on April 6-7, fled from Kyrgyzstan to neighboring Kazakhstan on April 15, after the opposition, which had taken power in the country, lifted his presidential immunity and threatened to arrest him.
Media reports said on Saturday that Bakiyev had left Kazakhstan, but his whereabouts remained unknown until Tuesday. Lukashenko said on Sunday Belarus was ready to host Bakiyev and give him and his family whatever help they need.
Kyrgyzstan's interim authorities have said they consider Belarus a friendly state and expect Minsk to ensure the security of the ousted president until a trial can be held.
"We ask Belarus and the country's authorities to ensure Bakiyev's security before he faces trial for numerous crimes against the Kyrgyz nation," said Edil Baisalov, the interim government's chief of staff.
MILITIA FIGHTS LOOTERS IN BISHKEK
Some 10,000 militia guards are helping police prevent looting and new outbreaks of violence in Bishkek.
But the situation is reportedly quiet in Bishkek and its suburbs on Tuesday.
On Monday morning, some 2,000 people armed with sticks set several cars on fire and threw rocks at houses in Bishkek's northern suburbs, claiming their right for land in local villages. Five people were killed and at least 30 injured in clashes with villagers.
In line with Kyrgyz law, citizens are allowed to protect their property using arms.
Medvedev on Tuesday ordered the Defense Ministry to ensure the security of Russian nationals in Kyrgyzstan and step up the protection of Russian installations against possible attacks by looters.
Russian General Staff chief Nikolai Makarov said later on Tuesday military authorities had no plans to evacuate families of Russian officers from the republic.
"There is no threat for Russian military facilities, servicemen and members of their families in Kyrgyzstan," he said.
He said Russia was planning to discuss the Kyrgyzstan issue with the U.S. military authorities and within the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The U.S. has a military transit center at Kyrgyzstan's Manas airport, which is used for operations in Afghanistan.
MEDVEDEV URGES RESTORATION OF STATE INSTITUTIONS
Medvedev said on Tuesday full-fledged economic cooperation with Kyrgyzstan can only occur after it restores its state institutions.
The self-declared Kyrgyz interim government urgently needs funds and fuel to normalize conditions in the impoverished Central Asian republic.
"Russia has given humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan, but full-fledged economic cooperation is possible only after the institutions of state are restored," Medvedev said at a news conference with his Uzbek counterpart, Islam Karimov.
The Russian government has already expressed readiness to provide aid to Kyrgyzstan's interim authorities. Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said on Wednesday Russia would give Kyrgyzstan a $20 mln grant and a $30 mln concessional loan to help stabilize the economic situation in the ex-Soviet republic after the recent riots.
Medvedev said that the most important task now for Kyrgyzstan is "to revive the government."
"The government is deposed at the moment, it does not exist. We count on the interim government to take all the necessary and appropriate measures, otherwise anarchy will deliver a blow to the people of Kyrgyzstan as well as its neighbors," Medvedev said.
MOSCOW, April 20 (RIA Novosti)
