Police fire tear gas at protesters in Pakistan

Police have fired tear gas at protesters near the Pakistani capital as political unrest extended into a third day. Police confronted about 100 protesters on Friday as they were trying to block the main highway into the capital, Islamabad, by placing bricks and rocks on the asphalt.

Police have fired tear gas at protesters near the Pakistani capital as political unrest extended into a third day. Police confronted about 100 protesters on Friday as they were trying to block the main highway into the capital, Islamabad, by placing bricks and rocks on the asphalt.

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Officers fired several rounds of tear gas, forcing the crowd to disperse. Police are moving toward the nearby airport to pre-empt any further trouble there.

Protests broke out on Wednesday when a court barred two key opposition leaders from elected office and President Asif Ali Zardari dissolved the government in the country's biggest province. The political turbulence adds to problems including Islamic militancy and an economic crunch.