Kyrgyzstan names new leadership

Kyrgyzstan's parliament has appointed an interim leader after President Askar Akayev was toppled in a rebellion. Opposition MP Ishenbai Kadyrbekov was named acting president, hours after demonstrators overran the government headquarters in the capital, Bishkek. Unconfirmed reports say Mr Akayev has fled the former Soviet republic along with his family. As night fell looting broke out, with gangs of youths ransacking stores and setting fire to buildings in Bishkek. The United States said it was keen to see events in Kyrgyzstan move towards a democratic process, while Russia accused the Kyrgyz opposition of causing chaos.