Police have clashed in the capital of El Salvador with thousands of former paramilitaries demanding compensation payments for their years of service during the country's civil war.

Government buildings were evacuated and the day's session in Congress was suspended as more than 8,000 former paramilitaries besieged the city centre.

At least 12 people were arrested and a number of policemen injured as protesters fought a pitch battle with police outside the main government buildings which the ex-paramilitaries had blocked earlier in the day.

Since the civil war ended in 1992, the paramilitaries have been demanding payments for their role in supporting the army in its fight with left-wing guerrillas trying to topple the government.

Recognition

In their continuing campaign for recognition, the former members of the civil defence unit that had helped the army fight the left wing rebels in the civil war poured into San Salvador from different parts of the country, causing chaos across the capital.

Police sources said it was by far the biggest concentration of former paramilitaries since their campaign of protests began shortly after the war ended in 1992.