Gunman invades Lisbon TV station

The gunmen says he will kill himself later today

An armed man who has burst into the headquarters of Portuguese state television in Lisbon has gone on radio to say he is protesting against a news report on his company's bankruptcy.

The man is armed with a gun and has threatened to detonate a bomb he says he is carrying in a briefcase. He says he plans to kill himself.

I am tired of suffering... I want to die

Gunman

Early reports said he had a male accomplice, but it is now believed he had only his wife and two daughters with him.

The man, who has identified himself as Manuel Subtil, locked himself and his family inside a toilet in the RTP television building. He allowed the children to leave several hours after the drama began.

Using his mobile phone, he has conducted negotiations with the police and given radio and television interviews.

The TV station has continued to broadcast through the siege.

Deadline

The police said Mr Subtil had set a deadline of 1600 GMT for his demands to be met.

Mr Subtil said he was angry at the RTP television company because it had broadcast a report on a French business he had owned, forcing it into bankruptcy.

Financially ruined

"We had a company in Paris 10 years ago, and they completely destroyed our lives," he said.

"I am tired of suffering... I want to die."

A court had ruled in his favour, he claimed, but its decision had not been carried out.

Police have evacuated the television building and cordoned off the surrounding area, causing serious traffic jams in Lisbon city centre.