Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Opposition Claims Control in Kyrgyzstan VOA News 07 April 2010 Kyrgyz police officers after being attacked by protesters in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 07 Apr 201 Photo: AP Kyrgyz police officers after being attacked by protesters in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 07 Apr 201 The political opposition in Kyrgyzstan says it has taken power, after a violent day of clashes in several cities that killed at least 40 people and wounded more than 400. Opposition leaders said late Wednesday they were forming a government, after the current prime minister, Daniyar Usenov, reportedly agreed to resign. There has been no confirmation of the opposition's claims. The exact whereabouts of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev were not known. Some opposition members said he had left the capital for the south of the country where he has a strong power base. Television pictures from the Central Asian country Wednesday showed protesters storming government buildings and security forces firing at demonstrators. Witnesses saw many dead and wounded on the streets and in hospitals in the capital Bishkek. Clashes were also reported in other cities. Kyrgyz police officers after being attacked by protesters in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 07 Apr 201 AP Kyrgyz police officers after being attacked by protesters in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 07 Apr 201 Authorities confirmed 40 deaths, while the opposition says at least 100 people were killed. U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Washington "deplores the violence" and urges all parties to respect the rule of law. The upheaval raises questions about the future of the U.S. air base in Kyrgyzstan that supports military operations in Afghanistan. U.S. officials said that as of late Wednesday the base was functioning normally. Tensions have been growing in the mountainous impoverished country of 5 million people over what activists say are the repressive policies of President Bakiyev. Mr. Bakiyev first took office in 2005 after a similar opposition uprising called the Tulip Revolution. But since then, he has consolidated power, cracking down on the opposition and independent media. The latest violence started Tuesday in the northwest town of Talas, when opposition members stormed provincial government offices.  Authorities responded by detaining several opposition leaders, including Almazbek Atambayev and former parliamentary speaker Omurbek Tekebayev. Another opposition leader, Temir Sariyev, was arrested early Wednesday as he arrived on a flight from Moscow. Internet access also was reported blocked in many areas.  Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. .