A Russian-led military alliance plans to discuss the situation in Kazakhstan, on Monday, following unprecedented unrest in the Central Asian republic.
The member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) are planning a video link from Moscow for this purpose, according to Kremlin reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to take part in the talks.
The Kremlin said the alliance would discuss “measures to normalize the situation” in Kazakhstan.
Besides Russia and Kazakhstan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were also members of the alliance.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had asked the CSTO for help after mass rioting broke out in the authoritarian former Soviet republic.
The organization had said it wanted to remain in the country until the situation was completely stabilized.
More than 160 have been reported dead in the violence.
Tokayev has also ordered a day of national mourning for Monday.
Kazakhstan, which borders Russia and China, had been gripped by unrest for a week.
The anti-government protests grew out of resentment over the increase in fuel prices at petrol stations in the oil and gas-rich country.
Alongside peaceful demonstrations, there were also violent riots, especially in the city of Almaty.
In response to the crisis, Tokayev declared a state of emergency, dismissed the government and ordered the military to shoot at demonstrators without warning. (dpa/NAN)
