Police and protesters clash in Serbia

Police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters in central Belgrade on Saturday, as tens of thousands gathered to demand early elections and an end to the more than decade-long rule of Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic.



People crowded into Slavija Square, one of the capital's main junctions, in a fresh eruption of demonstrations that started a year and a half ago when a deadly roof collapse triggered a youth-led movement against alleged corruption and mismanagement.



Officers in riot gear cordoned off Belgrade city hall, about a kilometre away, before sporadic clashes broke out between protesters and police near the presidency building and outside a park where Vucic's supporters have been camping since March last year.



Police fired tear gas and stun grenades as they pushed back protesters farther down the street.



Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said 23 people were detained.