Police opened fire on demonstrators protesting against rising prices in Mozambique's capital yesterday. At least six people were killed including two children, police and hospital sources.

The government said it had the situation under control. "We call on everyone to be calm and serene. We ask for everyone's collaboration," Interior Minister Jose Pacheco said on Radio Mozambique.

Some police officials said police had shot live ammunition after running out of rubber bullets, although a national police spokesman told a news conference live ammunition was not used.

The president is expected to address the country on the protests soon.

The protests appeared to have been touched off when the government increased prices on bread by 30 percent. Mozambicans say they have been hit hard by rising costs for basic essentials.

"The government underestimated the situation and can't understand or doesn't want to understand that this is a protest against the higher cost of living," Alice Mabota, head of the Mozambican League of Human Rights said.

"I can hardly feed myself. I will join the protest because I'm outraged by this high cost of living," Nelfa Temoteo, who lives in the densely populated Malhazine suburb, said.

Maputo police called for calm as the riots spread throughout the city.

source: Reuters