Kyrgyz govt reassert control after clashes

A cordon of around 1,000 police officers guarded the main government complex known as the White House after security forces on Friday dispersed up to 7,000 demonstrators using batons and tear gas.

The cast iron fence surrounding the giant building had been repaired and numerous police officers patrolled the capital's streets.

Security forces temporarily restricted entrance to the capital overnight Friday, setting up checkpoints around its perimeter, an interior ministry spokesman said.

"Now the situation is completely under our control," Vice Prime Minister Daniar Usenov told reporters.

He said that Friday's unrest, in which protestors seized the election commission's office in the White House, had been orchestrated by people loyal to Askar Akayev, the Central Asian country's ousted former leader.