There were startling scenes in the Russian State Duma - the lower house of parliament - when a brawl broke out between rival politicians over regional election results. Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the far-right Russian Liberal Democrat Party, struck out at Andrei Saveliev.

He is a deputy with the far-left party, Rodina.

Zhirinovsky claimed there were problems with elections in the north on Sunday. He and his fellow party members were walking out in protest when Saveliev called out.

Zhirinovsky stopped, apparently to spit at him and the fight broke out, despite repeated attempts by the speaker to restore order.

PHOTO CAPTION

The leader of the liberal democratic parliamentary faction Vladimir Zhirinovsky (R) shouts during a clash with deputies in a mourning session of parliament in Moscow, March 30, 2005. (REUTERS)