Security forces fired tear gas at opposition supporters erecting burning barricades in Togo's capital today, the second day of street battles over the election of the late authoritarian ruler's son as president.
In Lome's opposition stronghold of Be, soldiers patrolled on foot, firing tear gas down back streets at shouting youths who had built barricades of bricks and blazing tyres.
A Togolese opposition supporter waves a machete at a barricade in Lome.
At least one building was on fire and black smoke rose over the area. As the violence raged, the battered city counted the cost of yesterday's urban warfare which exploded after Faure Gnassingbe, son of former ruler Gnassingbe Eyadema, was declared winner of Sunday's presidential election.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said at least 70 wounded were treated at Lome's main hospital and many had been shot.
One Lome resident said he saw the bodies of two people who had been shot dead outside his house. There were no immediate official details of casualties.
Opposition leaders have rejected the election results, accusing Mr Gnassingbe's ruling party of massive fraud.
Togo spun into chaos when Mr Eyadema died after 38 years in power and army leaders named Mr Gnassingbe to replace him, saying they feared a dangerous political vacuum. He eventually stepped down under fierce international pressure and called elections.