Thousands of students blockaded entrances to Parliament in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, demanding the resignation of President Robert Mugabe and others whom they described as corrupt politicians.

Heavily armed riot police took up positions between the demonsgtrators and the parliament building.

There were no clashes.

The students, some carrying brances torn from trees, sticks and clubs, dragged a Zimbabwe flag down to half mast at the office of the Education Minister, Ignatius Chombo.

The head of the students' union at the main university in Harare, Learnmore Jongwe, said students were angered by cuts in student allowances, while President Mugabe had failed to stop government corruption.