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DAKAR, Senegal (AP) - Senegalese riot police fired tear gas Saturday at protesters calling for early parliamentary elections, beating back the crowd with rifle butts and detaining the head of the country's main opposition party.
Moustapha Niasse, who in addition to leading the opposition has twice served as Senegal's prime minister and is a former U.N. special envoy, was dragged by the scruff of his neck through the street, before being taken into custody by police, witnesses and opposition party officials said.
The 67-year-old was released several hours later, along with other detained members of the opposition, who had proceeded with the planned march even though they did not have the necessary permit.
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