The president of Tajikistan, Imomali Rakhmonov, has accused the Uzbek leadership of neighbouring Uzbekistan of helping to plot the recent revolt in northern Tajikistan.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Rakhmonov brushed aside Uzbek denials about any involvment and said the attempted coup was a thoroughly planned military aggression and an intrusion by Uzbekistan into Tajikistan's internal affairs.

He said his government had proof that the Uzbek President, Islam Karimov, was a supporter of the organiser of the rebellion the former prime minister, Abdumalik Abdullodzhanov and accused the Uzbek leadership of wanting to take control of all of Tajikistan.