OSCE Chairman In Albania To Defuse Crisis

People put flowers in front of the building where three people were killed in an anti-government protest.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's chairman is in Tirana to try and defuse a major political crisis after a violent opposition protest last week left three people dead.

Audronis Azubalis, who is also Lithuania's Foreign Minister, will meet Prime Minister Sali Berisha, opposition leader Edi Rama, and President Bamir Topi.

Three people were killed and more than 150 were injured in deadly clashes at an anti-government rally on January 21 in Albania's capital.

The Socialists are demanding the government's resignation for alleged corruption. Despite international calls for restraint, they have called a new demonstration for Friday.

compiled from agency reports