The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Yerevan

Eight people have died in clashes between police and protesters in the Armenian capital Yerevan, the police said in a statement Sunday, hours after a state of emergency was imposed.

"The clashes between police and protesters left eight dead," the statement said, citing figures from the health ministry.

The statement did not clarify whether the dead were protesters or police. It added that 33 police had been injured in the clashes.

"The police are calling on all citizens to be careful, to hold back and to obey all the rules of the state of emergency," the statement read.

Tanks and troops patrolled Yerevan Sunday after violent protests against alleged rigging of a presidential election in the ex-Soviet republic.

The situation was calm following the imposition of a state of emergency late Saturday in response to rioting.

The state of emergency will be in effect in the capital Yerevan until March 20 under a decree signed by President Robert Kocharian.