Conservative claims victory in Nicaragua

Arnoldo Aleman, a conservative, claimed an overwhelming victory in Nicaragua's presidential election but the Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega disputed the claim and spoke of possible fraud.

Mr Aleman, a 50-year-old lawyer and coffee farmer linked with the Somoza dictatorship, said he was scoring over 50 per cent.

Mr Ortega, the former president, said his party's private count showed him ahead by one point. Final results were due later. Phil Davison - Managua