Troops and police clash in Sao Tome

SAO TOME (AP) - The state radio appealed for citizens to stay calm yesterday after violent clashes between police officers and soldiers in this tiny African island nation. The radio interrupted regular programmes to urge the authorities to 'avoid an even greater armed conflict between the two forces'.

Around 40 soldiers broke into a police station in the capital, Sao Tome, to free two troopers arrested earlier. Police officers fled from the streets, and soldiers patrolled the capital.