POLICE USE TEAR GAS ON DEMONSTRATORS

BISHKEK Kyrgyz police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of people demonstrating on Monday against the result of a parliamentary election, after protesters tried to break into the government headquarters.

Gunshots and stun grenades could be heard as riot police moved into the central square in the capital Bishkek and the protesters retreated.

Two establishment parties supporting closer links between the former Soviet republic and Russia look set to dominate the new parliament after Sunday's election, which Western observers said had been marred by vote buying.

Supporters of several parties that failed to win any seats, according to preliminary results, had rallied in the central square to denounce the vote as fraudulent.

The Central Asian country of 6.5 million people has a history of political turmoil.