Uzbekistan's president Islam Karimov has denied that he has received any request to allow the United Nations into his country. Fears that up to a thousand people have been killed in recent unrest have provoked calls for a UN led investigation into human rights.

But the Uzbek government claims no such request has been received. They also claim that the total number of dead is nearer to 170.Meanwhile the number of refugees trying to flee the conflict into neighbouring Kyrgyzstan is causing concern.

Since the first reports of killings in the town of Andizhan, civilians have headed for the border town Korasuv. Hundreds are waiting to be granted asylum certificates that give them limited residence in Kyrgyzstan.

Emergency shelters have been erected, giving temporary relief to the families who have crossed the border.

PHOTO CAPTION

Muslim men pray in a mosque on the Kyrgyz side of Kara-Suu town at the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border. (AFP)