This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/5358546.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Protests target Hungary state TV Budapest hit by wave of violence
(about 1 hour later)
Protesters have tried to storm Hungary's state TV station after Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany admitted his party had lied to win an election. Thousands of demonstrators have gathered in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.
They used stones to attack the TV HQ in the capital Budapest, demanding to be allowed to broadcast their grievances. Police used tear gas and water cannon against a crowd who threw bottles and stones, and set cars alight.
Police used tear gas to disperse thousands of demonstrators. After several hours the police withdrew, allowing the protestors to break into the state television HQ.
Mr Gyurcsany's comments were heard in a tape of a meeting he had with his MPs a few weeks after the election in April. The protests follow Mr Gyurcsany's admission that his socialist government told lies to win a general election.
Protests have been held outside parliament since Sunday, calling for Mr Gyurcsany to resign. The main opposition party, the centre-right Fidesz, says it will boycott parliament on Tuesday.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe, outside the state TV building, said at least one car was set alight and crowds of largely young people threw projectiles, breaking lower windows. These are the first clashes to take place between police and demonstrators in Hungary since the fall of communism and the establishment of democracy in the late 1980s.
reports say demonstrators shouted "'56" in memory of Hungary's failed uprising against Soviet rule in October 1956. The BBC's Nick Thorpe, in central Budapest, says the trouble at the state television station began when a small group of protestors who had spent the day outside parliament tried to hand in a petition.
'Moral crisis' A clash with riot police ensued and the square rapidly filled with mainly young people, some waving Hungarian flags.
It is not clear how the tapes of the meeting which sparked the protests were leaked. A Reuters new agency correspondent in the state TV building said: "They are breaking vending machines ... they are not moving to the studios."
Leaked tape
Mr Gyurcsany's comments were heard in a tape of a meeting he had with his MPs a few weeks after April's election.
It is not clear how the tape was leaked.
In excerpts broadcast on state radio, Mr Gyurcsany says harsh economic reforms are needed.In excerpts broadcast on state radio, Mr Gyurcsany says harsh economic reforms are needed.
He thanks "divine providence, the abundance of cash in the world economy and hundreds of tricks" for keeping the economy above board.He thanks "divine providence, the abundance of cash in the world economy and hundreds of tricks" for keeping the economy above board.
In a speech sprinkled with obscenities, Mr Gyurcsany says: "We lied in the morning, we lied in the evening."In a speech sprinkled with obscenities, Mr Gyurcsany says: "We lied in the morning, we lied in the evening."
The prime minister has received the backing of Socialist MPs who on Monday voted unanimously to support him. On Sunday he appeared on state TV stressing the need "to stop the deluge of lies which have covered the country for many years".
He also defended his language, saying it had been used during a meeting of friends and colleagues and that he was proud of his "passionate speech".
The prime minister has received the backing of socialist MPs who on Monday voted unanimously to support him.
However, Hungary's President, Laszlo Solyom, said Mr Gyurcsany had created a "moral crisis", and opposition parties have called for his resignation.However, Hungary's President, Laszlo Solyom, said Mr Gyurcsany had created a "moral crisis", and opposition parties have called for his resignation.
The main opposition party, Fidesz, has said it will boycott parliament for a day on Tuesday to protest against the "lies" of the Socialist-led government. In two weeks' time, local elections are scheduled. The socialists and their liberal coalition allies are trailing Fidesz in the polls.
These are the first clashes to take place between police and demonstrators in Hungary since the fall of communism and the establishment of democracy in the late 1980s.