POLICE AND DEMONSTRATORS CLASH IN BUENOS AIRES; 12 DETAINED

BUENOS AIRES, AUGUST 7 /SRNA/ - At least 12 people were detained, while three police officers and two journalists were injured during clashes outside the Congress building in Buenos Aires, where a protest against the law on the inviolability of private property was being held, the newspaper "Nación" reported.

According to a police statement, after the main part of the rally ended, smaller groups of demonstrators clashed with police officers.

Demonstrators threw stones at police and vandalised public property. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets. Three police officers were hospitalised after being hit in the head by stones.

Among those injured were a photographer who suffered a head injury and a television cameraman who was wounded by rubber bullets.

The clashes took place on several streets near the Congress building. Demonstrators blocked roads with rubbish containers, attempted to break through police barriers, and tore down and set fire to a U.S. flag hanging from the facade of a shop.

Around 820 members of the federal police, gendarmerie and Coast Guard were deployed to maintain order.

The mass protest was organised by trade unions, opposition parties and social movements amid a Senate debate on a bill that would ease restrictions on foreigners purchasing land.