The death toll in Kyrgyzstan`s interethnic clashes has risen to 138, the AKIpress news agency reported late on Monday citing data from the country`s Health Ministry.

The ministry added that over 1,750 were injured in clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbek groups that swept through the country`s second-largest city of Osh and another southern city of Jalal-Abad starting on Friday and continuing throughout Saturday and Sunday.

The border between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan was closed following the riots, during which cars were set on fire, and stores, markets and residential buildings smashed and looted.

Kyrgyz and Uzbek ethnic leaders in Kyrgyzstan agreed late on Sunday to begin reconciliation talks.

Officials from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) also agreed to gather to discuss ways of resolving the crisis in Kyrgyzstan, including possible deployment of a peacekeeping contingent.
sections: Society, World News