LONDON - The British government called Friday for restraint by authorities and insurgents in Uzbekistan to avoid further violence in the former Soviet republic in central Asia.
"The British government regrets the outbreak of violence and very much hopes that all the parties will show restraint and do everything possible to resolve the situation without further bloodshed," said British ambassador to Uzbekistan David Moran, in a press statement released by the Foreign Office in London.
The Foreign Office also advised British nationals against all but essential travel to Andijan in eastern Uzbekistan, the republic's fourth largest city.
Earlier Friday at least one person was killed and five wounded as troops loyal to Uzbekistan's hardline President Islam Karimov opened fire on protesters in the city's main square.
Troops then moved in against armed anti-Karimov insurgents who had seized public buildings and freed 2,000 prisoners from the local prison, where 23 men accused of Islamic extremism were being held.
The nighttime raid left at least nine dead and 34 wounded, according to the government.
05/13/2005 18:53 GMT