Bolivian poll claim

Gonzalo Sanchez de Losada of the opposition Revolutionary Nationalist Movement (MNR) claimed victory in Bolivia's presidential elections, AFP reports from La Paz. He made the announcement on television, which had earlier announced the 'unquestionable victory' of the MNR in at least six of the country's nine departments.

Channel 2 television said the latest results showed Mr Sanchez de Losada, a US-educated millionaire, leading by seven percentage points over Hugo Banzer, a former military dictator backed this time by the ruling Revolutionary Left Movement.