Congo demonstrations turn violent

Thousands of demonstrators in Kinshasa were forced to retreat by riot police wielding batons and firing tear gas.

The protesters came out across the country to express their opposition to delays in the Congo's first post-war presidential elections. There have been reports of up to a dozen people being killed in the clashes.

Witnesses say Kalashnikov-bearing police have been dragging fleeing demonstrators from their hiding places and beating them. All that is left in some streets are the shoes of demonstrators who ran off.

Gunfire was also reported in the city of Goma, where a rally took place near a sports stadium. It was unclear who was firing.

Thursday marked the 45th anniversary of Congo's independence from Belgium.