Kyrgyz leaders seeks to restore order

One man was killed trying to repel looters in the capital Bishkek, officials said, and automatic weapons fire could be heard overnight but there were fewer signs of the violence and chaos that accompanied widespread looting Thursday night.

The country's new leaders -- a loosely united opposition that includes many former government officials -- seized power when crowds of protesters clashed with police and marched into Bishkek's White House, the seat of government, Thursday.

"We completely control the situation in the country and in Bishkek," opposition leader Felix Kulov, put in charge of security after his supporters broke him out of jail Thursday, said. "During the night there was only one murder."

Kulov has set up mobile police patrols and given orders for police to fire in the air to disperse looters.

Akayev, who had ruled since 1990, confirmed Friday he had left the country but did not say where he had gone.

He said he was still the legitimate president and his absence was only temporary. The opposition had carried out an "anti-constitutional coup," he said.

Acting president Kurmanbek Bakiev, an opposition leader who played a central role in the protests against a flawed parliamentary election, appointed key interim ministers on Friday and said a presidential poll would be held in June.