Armenia: Tanks and troops patrol capital after eight die in protests

Tanks and troops have patrolled the Armenian capital Yerevan after eight people were killed and dozens injured during violent protests against the result of a presidential election.

Army chief of staff Seiran Oganian warned in televised comments that fresh protests would be met with "a severe response."

SBS reports a dozen armoured personnel carriers and about 100 soldiers stood guard outside the main government building and foreign ministry. Several tanks could be seen at the scene of the night-time clashes.

A spokeswoman for the foreign ministry said seven civilians and one police officer had been killed. One police officer was in critical condition and 17 had been hospitalised with gunshot wounds, she said.

The health ministry said that 72 police and 59 civilians had been injured in the unrest.