Anxious times in Bishkek

By Steve Rosenberg BBC correspondent in Bishkek

Salvaging furniture from a shop set on fire by looters

As we began our drive through the centre of Bishkek it looked just like a normal day in the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

The roads were bustling with cars and trolleybuses.

It is quite a contrast to the drama of yesterday. It may have been the swiftest of revolutions but on the streets there was plenty of clearing up to be done.

Overnight there was serious looting, and the evidence of that is clear this morning. Supermarkets, department stores, jewellery shops were all targets for the looters. They took everything they could carry, armchairs, TVs, and smaller jewellery items. Some shops had been set on fire too.

There's a fear that yesterday's looting will happen today as well Eyewitness: Scared by upheaval

This morning the citizens are back on the streets. They are strolling in the spring sunshine, and the shops, cafés and restaurants are open again.

Old ladies in bright headscarves are preparing for their day of trading.

Then, outside the government building, we found crowds of opposition supporters standing around discussing what they see as their revolution.

Strangely I haven't seen a single policeman out on the streets.

The opposition, which seized power here on Thursday, has vowed to maintain order. But not everyone in Bishkek is convinced. Some of the residents of the city I've spoken to this morning predict continued instability.

Waiting to see

There are rumours of a curfew, and when I asked several locals what they think will happen next they are not sure. There is an element of fear here now but also a hope that life will get better, but they are waiting to see how political and constitutional changes will work out.

There is no sign of any fight back from the previous regime. The rumour mill is working overtime as to the whereabouts of the former president, Askar Akayev, but we just don't know where he is currently.

People are concerned about what may happen next and as the politicians inside the parliament building meet to decide a on short-term government with an interim council, the ordinary people of Bishkek are milling around outside the government building, just waiting.

Then as night fell in Bishkek, the atmosphere changed.

Police volunteers loyal to the new government tried to disperse crowds of teenagers who were armed with sticks, an attempt to prevent more looting but a move against those who consider themselves heroes of the revolution.

The police fired shots in the air and called on the crowd to go home. Then came news of a curfew imposed to help restore order. Earlier Kyrgyzstan's new acting President, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, had promised tough measures to maintain stability.

The revolution in Kyrgyzstan may be complete but the threat of violence remains in this central Asian state.

The people on the streets are determined to make sure their revolution holds but there is still anger on the streets, the people are impatient for change, determined for their lives to improve.