EU renews pressure on Uzbekistan

EU foreign ministers will reiterate their deep concern over events in the ex-Soviet republic at regular monthly talks, which will also notably discuss Iran ahead of crunch nuclear talks with Tehran later in the week.

"They will express profound concern, both over the loss of life and the displacement of people" said an EU official following the crackdown in the eastern Uzbek city of Andijan.

President Islam Karimov claims his government deployed military force as an emergency response to an attempt by dozens of armed Islamic extremists supported by local residents to overthrow the government last week.