Putin rules out election re-run

Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin has rejected demands from growing numbers of protesters for a re-run of the fraud-tainted parliamentary election.

Mr Putin’s United Russia party barely retained its majority in the December 4 election despite alleged vote-rigging in its favour. Tens of thousands have protested since, urging an end to his rule, including a Moscow rally last weekend that was the largest show of discontent since the Soviet collapse 20 years ago.