Ousted Leader Leaves Kyrgyzstan

Deposed Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has left the country on a plane for Kazakhstan. His departure comes in the wake of an April 7 uprising that killed scores of people and forced him to flee the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek.

Bakiyev had been living in his home region of Jalalabad in the south of the country, trying to muster support, reports BBC News.

Gunfire was heard earlier as Bakiyev spoke in the southern city of Osh; an opposition rally was going on nearby. The ex-president was quickly bundled into his car and driven back to his home village. His motorcade was later seen arriving at the airport in Jalalabad, before a plane departed on Thursday.

Bakiyev was said to have left the country for talks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, according to Russian news agencies.

Roza Otunbayeva, leader of the interim government set up in the aftermath of the rising, had been suggesting Bakiyev should stand trial over the recent unrest.

Bakiyev had been saying that he was ready to relinquish his claim on power if his safety could be guaranteed.