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Clashes leave Congo court on fire Clashes leave Congo court on fire
(30 minutes later)
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Supreme Court is on fire following protests over alleged fraud in the presidential run-off.The Democratic Republic of Congo's Supreme Court is on fire following protests 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.
Police used tear gas and UN peacekeepers fired shots in the air, as protesters set two vehicles on fire. Police used tear gas and UN peacekeepers fired shots in the air, as protesters also burnt two vehicles.
The protest led the Supreme Court to suspend its hearing into Mr Bemba's claims he was cheated of victory. The violence led the Supreme Court to suspend its hearing into Mr Bemba's claims he was cheated of victory.
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.
Extra troopsExtra troops
Black-robed judges fled the court, as documents and furniture caught fire.Black-robed judges fled the court, as documents and furniture caught fire.
Police fired tear gas at the protesters as several hundred supporters of Mr Bemba approached the Supreme Court. It is not clear whether the fire is under control, or whether any electoral material was damaged in the blaze.
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. The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says police fired tear gas, as several hundred supporters of Mr Bemba approached the Supreme Court.
He says that UN peacekeepers fired shots in the air. Interior Minister Denis Kalume said some of the protesters were carrying weapons and fired at the police.
The Reuters news agency reports that some of Mr Bemba's supporters were armed with sub-machine guns but it is not clear if they were fired. Our correspondent says the police ran away and Mr Bemba's supporters then set two vehicles on fire, along with part of the Supreme Court.
UN peacekeepers fired shots in the air to disperse the protesters.
"We have sent additional troops in to secure the situation," said UN spokesman Kemal Saiki."We have sent additional troops in to secure the situation," said UN spokesman Kemal Saiki.
European Union peacekeeping troops also deployed near the court building, Reuters reports. European Union peacekeeping troops also deployed near the court building, reports Reuters news agency.
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.
Election observers have said the irregularities were not on a large enough scale to overturn Mr Kabila's lead.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 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.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.