Interim leader Roza Otunbayeva said Friday that Bakiyev's departure, organized "with the help of our friends from other countries, was the only chance to avoid the escalation of violence, tensions and setting one part of the nation against another."

While allaying fears of renewed violence, Bakiyev's departure angered many in Kyrgyzstan who wanted him and his clan brought to justice for endemic corruption and allegations they ordered troops to shoot protesters.

Bakiyev was driven from the capital, Bishkek, on April 7 after troops opened fire on protesters, who then stormed government buildings.

Ousted leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev left Thursday for neighbouring Kazakhstan on a flight arranged by the US, Russian and Kazakh leaders in an unusual joint mediation effort. The United Nations, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe also helped negotiate Bakiyev's departure, which eased fears of a civil war in the strategically placed ex-Soviet nation.

This mountainous country of 5 million bordering China hosts the US air base at the capital's airport which provides refueling flights for warplanes over Afghanistan and serves as a major transit hub for troops. Russia also has a military base in Kyrgyzstan.

AP