Uzbek opposition leaders reportedly unite

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 29 (UPI) -- Uzbekistan's opposition leaders have joined hands to oppose the regime of President Islam Karimov, the new group announced Wednesday.

The United Uzbek Democratic Coalition said it named Muhammad Salih as its president. The announcement said the coalition is made up of several democratic parties.

"This is a chance for all of Uzbekistan to unite with one voice, and declare that we will no longer live in fear ... We will no longer be labeled radical fundamentalists," the announcement said.

Salih currently is in Washington to gather support for free and fair democratic elections in Uzbekistan, the group said.

Separately, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency reported Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Russia has detailed knowledge an uprising in eastern Uzbekistan in mid-May was planned by foreign groups seeking to overthrow the Uzbek government. The comment came after Ivanov's meeting with Karimov.

Karimov has repeatedly said foreigners instigated the demonstrations in Andijon in May. Uzbek officials say the uprising claimed the lives of 176 people, mostly terrorists.