Fatal clashes in Mongolia capital

Five people have died in violent protests in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator over alleged electoral fraud, says Justice Minister Tsend Munkhorgil. More than 300 people were hurt, he said, including many police. Hundreds of people have been detained. The president has declared a state of emergency and curfew, and parts of the city have been sealed off. Opposition supporters question early results from Sunday's parliamentary poll, which the ruling party won. Preliminary returns suggest the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) has taken at least 45 seats in the 76-seat parliament, but the opposition Democrats allege fraud. Several thousand people gathered on to the streets of the capital after the preliminary results emerged on Tuesday. The ruling party headquarters were set alight and government offices were looted. Paintings were destroyed by a fire at the national art gallery, Mongolia's Montsame news agency said. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon to force stone-throwing protesters back.