Kyrgyz officials slam protests

Kyrgyz officials have continued their criticism of the anti-government protests in the south of the country.

Two ministers - First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev and Deputy Interior Minister Keneshbek Duishenbayev - said the demonstrators who are blocking Kyrgyzstan's main north-south highway were destabilising the country.

The protesters are demanding the acquittal of an opposition politician, Azimbek Beknazarov, and the punishment of those responsible for the deaths of six protestors in March.

They are planning to march on the capital, Bishkek, but say the protest will be peaceful and have urged the authorities to back it by providing help for transport.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service