Deadly clashes erupt in Bangkok

Thai security forces have fired live rounds after moving to seal a heavily defended demonstrators' camp in Bangkok amid clashes that left two people dead. Embassies were closed as protesters set fire to a police bus and shot fireworks at troops, who also responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Our correspondent says the area is like a war zone, with troops firing into a park as a helicopter circled overhead. The demonstrators want the prime minister to resign and call elections. Many of the so-called red-shirt protesters support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup. The Bangkok authorities have cut off water and electricity to the camp in a renewed effort by the Thai government to reclaim the city centre. Violence escalated after a renegade general who was backing the protest was shot by an unknown gunman on Thursday, leaving him in a critical condition. The British embassy was among several foreign missions closed on Friday.