Kyrgyzstan opposition leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev says parliament has made him the country's acting leader a day after protesters drove President Askar Akayev's government from power.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters, Mr. Bakiyev said lawmakers named him acting president and prime minister at a meeting early today (Friday) and asked him to form an interim government.
Kyrgyzstan President Askar Akayev went into hiding Thursday after protesters seized the presidential compound in Bishkek and the political opposition took control of the government. Mr. Akayev's whereabouts was not immediately known.
The turmoil sparked a looting spree across the capital. A lawmaker (Timir Sariyev) says at least three people were killed and dozens injured in the violence.
The developments follow days of protests against what the opposition says were rigged parliamentary elections.