Troops storm Manila siege hotel

Police and army troops in the Philippines have stormed a luxury hotel in Manila which had been taken over by dozens of armed renegade soldiers.

Troops moved in after an 0700GMT deadline for the rebels to leave the Peninsula Hotel passed.

Gunshots have been heard and tear gas has been fired into the hotel lobby.

The soldiers, accused of a failed mutiny in 2003, occupied the hotel after breaking out of court where they were on trial.

They have called on fellow soldiers to withdraw their support for President Gloria Arroyo.

Live video footage from outside the hotel showed an armoured personnel carrier driving into the lobby, while two more were parked in front.

Before the assault, most of the guests had left, but a number of people were seen in the lobby and many journalists had refused a government order to leave.

BBC news