Riots erupt over Belfast parade

Protestants clashed with police, British troops and Catholic crowds in several parts of Belfast after authorities blocked the Orange Order the territory's major Protestant brotherhood from parading past the hard-line Catholic end of disputed Springfield Road.

At least three officers were injured by flames and shrapnel from homemade grenades and gasoline-filled bottles on the nearby North Circular Road. Four other officers were injured in separate incidents across the city.

Officers on the North Circular Road took cover behind their armoured vehicles after hearing bursts of automatic gunfire, although nobody was reported hit by bullets.