Riots erupt in Zambian capital Lusaka

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Police and demonstrators clashed early on Tuesday in protests against the acting president, a white Zambian who fired the ruling party's chief following the death last week of president Michael Sata.

The riots started on Monday night in several places in the Zambian capital of Lusaka, including the University of Zambia and a government building designated as a place for Sata's mourners to gather, according to witnesses.

Protesters had descended on the building, Belvedere Lodge, with stones, machetes and other weapons, and police fired tear gas into the venue to clear demonstrators from the area.

The protesters were angry over the decision by acting president, Guy Scott, to dismiss Edgar Lungu, the ruling party's secretary general.

Lungu, who remains defence and justice minister, said his dismissal was illegal and accused Scott, who is of Scottish descent, of "insulting our culture".