Kyrgyzstan's president has defiantly backed contested polls as legitimate, dismissing unrest in his country as a temporary phenomenon. While taking a strong line, Askar Akayev rules out the use of force to crush protestors.

He made the statements to newly-elected deputies in parliament in the capital Bishkek. The vote which brought them to power was criticised as flawed by international observers.

Outside, thousands of people staged a peaceful rally in support of the president. Akayev has warned that attempts to copy recent peaceful revolutions in other former Soviet republics like Georgia and Ukraine could lead to civil war. He claims opposition forces financed from outside are seeking to bring about the collapse of Kyrgyzstan.

The opposition has seized control of the two southern cities of Jalal-Abad and Osh. Demonstrators who appear to lack a central rallying figure have resorted to violence. Several people have already been killed.

Kyrgyzstan is situated in an energy-rich region in which both the United States and Russia are vying for influence.

PHOTO CAPTION

Opposition protesters rally in the centre of southern Kyrgyz town of Jalal Abad, March 23, 2005. (Reuters)