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Tanzanian police on Tuesday fired in the air to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters in the capital Dar es Salaam who tried to stage a demonstration to demand a new constitution.

The opposition Civic United Front party on Monday called for the march to present their draft constitution to the justice minister, but police declared their demonstration illegal.

"Dozens of policemen blocked the demonstrators and dispersed them after opening fire in the air. Police blocked the supporters who were marching towards the city centre," a witness who did not want to be identified told AFP.

Pressure has been mounting in the east African country for a new charter after October general elections won by incumbent President Jakaya Kikwete but denounced as fraudulent by opposition groups.

Key among the changes sought by the opposition and other civil society groups are a limiting of presidential powers and the establishment of an independent electoral commission.

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