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Shots fired in Congo poll clashes | Shots fired in Congo poll clashes |
(30 minutes later) | |
Shots have been fired in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa during a protest over alleged fraud in the presidential run-off. | Shots have been fired in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa during a protest over alleged fraud in the presidential run-off. |
Supporters of Jean-Pierre Bemba, the ex-rebel leader who says he was cheated of victory, clashed with police. | Supporters of Jean-Pierre Bemba, the ex-rebel leader who says he was cheated of victory, clashed with police. |
The protest was held outside the Supreme Court, which is studying Mr Bemba's claims of rigging. | The protest was held outside the Supreme Court, which is studying Mr Bemba's claims of rigging. |
President Joseph Kabila was last week declared the winner, with 58% of the vote against 42% for Mr Bemba. | President Joseph Kabila was last week declared the winner, with 58% of the vote against 42% for Mr Bemba. |
The elections are supposed to draw a line under a five-year conflict in which some four million people died. | The elections are supposed to draw a line under a five-year conflict in which some four million people died. |
After the first round results were declared in August, security forces loyal to the two men clashed in Kinshasa, leaving at least 23 people dead. | After the first round results were declared in August, security forces loyal to the two men clashed in Kinshasa, leaving at least 23 people dead. |
The world's biggest peacekeeping force - some 17,000 men - is in DR Congo to prevent further unrest. | The world's biggest peacekeeping force - some 17,000 men - is in DR Congo to prevent further unrest. |
They are backed up by European Union forces in Kinshasa. | They are backed up by European Union forces in Kinshasa. |
Police fired tear gas at the protesters as they approached the Supreme Court. | |
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says Mr Bemba's supporters set two vehicles on fire and chased away anti-riot police outside the Court. | |
He says that UN peacekeepers fired shots in the air. | |
Election observers have said the irregularities were not on a large enough scale to overturn Mr Kabila's lead. | |
The results showed a regional divide, with Mr Bemba gaining most votes in the Lingala-speaking west, including Kinshasa, while Mr Kabila won by a landslide in the Swahili-speaking east. | |
The election was organised under the terms of a 2002 peace deal to end the conflict, which drew in the armies of nine other African countries. |