Prisoners are still in control of some Kyrgyz jails

According to the head of the prisons system, inmates at four jails have so far turned over a total of 130 weapons.

But in other jails, prisoners are continuing to refuse to co-operate.

They are demanding better conditions and an explanation into the deaths of at least four inmates during riots throughout the jail system on Tuesday.

The authorities have warned that if the prisoners do not turn in all their weapons by the newly extended deadline of Sunday, the security services will enter the jails with force.

'Back to normal'

Prison chief Kapar Mukeyev said that some inmates had already begun to surrender knives and other banned items to officials outside their jails.

"Overall, the situation is getting back to normal," he said.

But he said some prisoners had retained their firearms and were "not rushing to hand them over".

KYRGYZ VIOLENCE 1 November: Several jails hit by unrest after authorities move high-profile inmate 20 October: MP Tynchbek Akmatbayev and two aides shot dead during prison visit 22 September: MP and businessman Bayaman Erkinbayev shot dead 13 June: Security guards open fire on protesters in Osh, injuring at least seven 10 June: MP Jyrgalbek Surabaldiyev shot dead in Bishkek 1 June: Hundreds eject protesters from Supreme Court which they had held for more than a month

He told the Associated Press that there were seven jails where inmates were refusing to comply with the authorities' request. Guards have reportedly been placed outside these buildings.

Tuesday's unrest was sparked by the removal of a high-profile inmate from one prison to another.

The inmate, Aziz Batukayev, is one of 28 suspected of involvement in the killing of MP Tynychbek Akmatbayev, who was shot while visiting one of the prisons last month.

Correspondents say the authorities in many prisons in Kyrgyzstan and other former Soviet republics hand over the day-to-day running of the prison to inmates, who are often led by a top criminal boss.

Kyrgyzstan has witnessed several violent incidents since the overthrow of ex-President Askar Akayev in March.