Protestor dies in Genoa riots

A protester has died in the G8 summit protests in Genoa.

Witnesses gave conflicting accounts, some saying the person had been shot, others saying the death came after a beating by police.

The death follows hours of intensive riots in the city in north-west Italy where the leaders of the world's richest nations are meeting.

At least 46 protesters and 31 police officers were hurt and 39 people arrested.

The body lay in a pool of blood, covered by a white sheet and surrounded by dozens of police who kept reporters at bay.

The violence followed days of tension leading up to the summit after the Italian government vowed to crack down on any violence by protesters.

The protesters want the G8 leaders to heed their demands that the wealth generated by global markets reaches the world's poor.

Bob Geldof, in Genoa as a campaigner for Drop the Debt, has condemned the rioting and says helping the Third World will be achieved only through dialogue.