17 Jun 2010

Russia to supply arms to Kyrgyzstan

6:50 am on 17 June 2010

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says Russia and other countries in the region, will supply ammunition and military equipment to Kyrgyzstan to help it deal with ethnic trouble in the south.

Kyrgyzstan's foreign minister and the head of the national security council are both in Moscow to discuss the situation with top officials.

Mr Lavrov also says Russia will help Kyrgyz authorities track down those behind the sudden explosion of violence.

Three days of mourning is being held for more than 180 people killed in the clashes.

The United Nations estimates that more than 250,000 people have fled their homes.

The BBC reports it is not clear what sparked the latest unrest. Fighting reportedly broke out between rival gangs and developed into gun battles late last Thursday.