Kuchma protesters in Kiev battle

KIEV, Ukraine -- Fierce clashes have erupted in Ukraine's capital Kiev between riot police and protesters demanding the resignation of President Leonid Kuchma.

Demonstrators hurling bottles and stones fought a running battle with police using tear gas on Friday.

It was the bloodiest protest in a three-month campaign against Kuchma, leaving several injured on both sides.

The protest travelled through Kiev and grew throughout the day to as many as 18,000 by evening. At least 20 people were arrested in the two clashes, opposition leaders said.

The first began with a tribute to mark the 187th anniversary of the birth of Ukraine's most famed poet, Taras Shevchenko.

GALLERY Kuchma out!

Police forced the protesters to retreat from a park in central Kiev where Kuchma was laying flowers at the foot of the statue of the Ukrainian nationalist.

They were beaten back after charging at officers on duty armed with metal shields and truncheons.

Several demonstrators were beaten over the head, one suffering serious injury, the Reuters news agency reported.

The protesters were from nationalist parties and the Ukraine without Kuchma movement. They targeted Kuchma as he laid flowers at the statue of poet Shevchenko, Ukraine's most powerful symbol of resistance against oppression.

Kuchma, who arrived earlier than expected for the ceremony, laid the flowers and quickly left the area, a spokesman for the president said.

As Kuchma left, the wall of riot police parted, allowing protesters to surge towards the statue, where they trampled the wreath he had laid to mark the poet's birthday.

The demonstrators continued their protest in the park, then marched through the capital to the Interior Ministry, where they threw hundreds of eggs.

Then they reached presidential administration, where they again shouted demands for Kuchma to step down.

The second clash then broke out, initiated by the UNA-UNSO ultra-nationalist youth movement.

The demonstrators threw bottles and stones at about 200 riot policemen who used tear gas and covered their heads with shields. At least three policemen caught fire after protesters threw a Molotov cocktail.

Passersby were also injured by flying stones. At least six police and more protesters were injured in the two clashes.

The protest then moved to the central Khreshchatyk street, where peaceful passersby enjoyed the second day of a two-day International Women's Day holiday, celebrated with national music and karaoke entertainment.

It was the latest in two months of action against Kuchma. Opposition movements allege he was involved in the disappearance of journalist Heorhiy Gongadze, whose headless corpse was found outside Kiev last year.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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