Uzbek leader warns against Islamic-style government in Tajikistan

Mr Rakhmonov told a news conference that a new coalition government in Dushanbe could be announced this month.

Mr Karimov said he hoped all factions would be given a voice, not just the current government and the Islamic opposition.

The BBC Central Asia correspondent says it's widely assumed he meant groups seen as sympathetic to Tashkent.

Mr Karimov added he didn't want an Islamic-style government in Dushanbe, as this would pose a threat to Uzbekistan.

He blamed what he called Islamic extremists based across the border in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for the recent killings of several policemen in the city of Namangan.

The BBC Central Asia correspondent says none of the Tajik parties are advocating strident political Islam, but the issue is of profound concern to the Uzbek leadership.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service