Both United Nations and EU leaders have expressed deep concerns over the mounting anti-government riots in the former Soviet state of Kyrgyzstan. There are reports that several police officers and demonstrators were killed as protesters stormed regional government offices.

The disturbances come in the wake of this month's parliamentary elections, which both the opposition and international observers say were unfair. Most of the violence occurred in the country's second biggest city, Osh.

Using makeshift weapons, crowds managed to chase police out. There are fears that the long-time President Askar Akayev, who is the real focus of the protests, might order an all-out crackdown if the riots hit the capital. He has vowed to defuse the crisis by talking to the opposition and warned that without negotiations civil war could break out.

The stand-off has been compared to the so-called " Orange Revolution" in Ukraine. However, unlike in Ukraine, Moscow has not expressed any major support for the embattled leader. The opposition fears he may use his new parliamentary majority to change the law so that he can run for president again.

PHOTO CAPTION

Kyrgyz police stand guard outside a government building in the southern city of Osh, which was overtaken by demonstrators protesting results of parliamentary elections. (AFP)