More clashes in Uzbekistan: reports

Reports from Uzbekistan say there have been clashes between government forces and gunmen about one hundred kilometres north-east of the capital, Tashkent.

Official sources say two Uzbek border guards were killed and four others were taken hostage, during an operation a few days ago near the town of Burchmullo in northern Uzbekistan.

The army has set up a base in the town of Gazalkent, security has been stepped up and reinforcements have been sent to the region.

In a separate development, the Uzbek leader, Islam Karimov, has been visiting southern Uzbekistan, where clashes between the army and Islamic fighters have been taking place for several weeks.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service