THE Albanian parliament yesterday declared a national state of emergency and the security forces were authorised to open fire on protesters after a weekend of rioting left at least 14 dead, including an eight year old girl.
As President Sali Berisha threatened to rule "with an iron hand" large numbers of armed marchers began to advance on the capital, Tirana, from the southern town of Vlore. Looting and burning went unchecked in Sarande, near the Greek border, after the police were driven out.
Mr Berisha sacked his prime minister and government on Saturday in an attempt to assuage anger at the failure of pyramid investment schemes and subsequent government inaction, but protesters in Vlore said his actions were insufficient and issued an ultimatum.
They demanded the immediate installation of a neutral government of technocrats, fresh general elections and the return of money lost in the pyramid schemes. They also demanded that Mr Berisha resign, or they would march with their "army" on Tirana.
Speaking on television last night, Mr Berisha, who is due to be elected by parliament to a second five year term today, accused former communists of plotting to overthrow him.
Reports from the town of Fier said heavily armed protesters were arriving from Vlore, 25 miles away. The people of Fier were said to be looting army depots for supplies and commandeering vehicles.
In Vlore, protesters raided army depots, looting explosives, automatic weapons, mortar bombs, rocket launchers and land mines. Young children filled their pockets with explosives, and rode bicycles loaded with weapons. Two children, aged six, were reported killed playing with explosives.
Armed protesters guarded the university building where 39 students are on their 11th day of a hunger strike. Meanwhile, demonstrators set fire to Mr Berisha's summer villa.
Residents of the town of Sarande, near the Greek border, went on the rampage, burning the secret police headquarters, the law courts and other public buildings.
They broke into the prison, releasing some 200 inmates