Fresh Ethnic Clashes Hit Kyrgyz Southern City of Osh

The death toll from violence in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh has risen to at least 45, amid fresh fighting. The clashes between Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbek groups flared late on Thursday - the worst violence in the Central Asian country since ex-President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was overthrown in April.

According to BBC News, dozens of buildings were on fire as fighting spread on Friday. About 600 people have been hurt, officials say. The interim government has declared a state of emergency and deployed troops.

Osh is home to a large ethnic Uzbek community and was the power base of former President Bakiyev. The cause of the latest fighting is unclear. According to local reports, the violence broke out between rival gangs and developed into gun battles late on Thursday.

Homes, shops and restaurants were attacked. Cars and a theatre were set alight. After a night of violence followed by a lull, the shooting continued with renewed force on Friday.

Interim President Roza Otunbayeva said: "We're clearly talking about a stand-off between two ethnicities. We need (to muster) forces and means to stop and calm these people down, and this is what we are doing right now."

Soldiers have been posted at routes into the city and at major intersections. A curfew is in force, but violence continued into Friday night in central Osh.

Most of the properties attacked appear to belong to ethnic Uzbeks.