Armenia: State of Emergency

Kocharian's office said the state of emergency would remain in effect for 20 days. The measure imposes severe restrictions, including banning all mass gatherings and ordering that news media reports on domestic political matters include only official information.

The order also says police have the right to restrict movement and to search private and public vehicles.

Tensions remained strong in parts of Yerevan as midnight approached. Groups of angry young people were prowling the streets, calling for people to join them and occasionally breaking windows, city residents told The Associated Press.

Witnesses said Press they had seen people injured in the later rally, but there was no immediate official information on casualties. The Armenian Health Ministry said 10 people were hospitalized from the earlier clash, but did not say how severe their injuries were nor how many of the injured were police.

A state of emergency has been declared in Armenia's capital on the 11th consecutive day of protests against an allegedly rigged presidential election.

President Robert Kocharyan signed the decree "to prevent a threat to constitutional order".

The decree - to remain in force until 20 March - came after police fired in the air to disperse demonstrators.

Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian won the 19 February vote against opposition challenger Levon Ter-Petrosian.

Mr Ter-Petrosian says he is under house arrest.

At least one person has reportedly died after police in the Armenian capital broke up opposition protests.

Riot police moved into Yerevan's Freedom Square in the early hours and used truncheons to get rid of demonstrators, who have been in situ for 10 days after a presidential election they claim was rigged.