Interim president of Peru steps down after two protesters killed

Manuel Merino's exit follows fury sparked by shootings at pro-democracy rally

The interim president of Peru, Manuel Merino, has stepped down amid nationwide fury over the killing of two protesters in a brutally heavy-handed police clampdown on huge pro-democracy demonstrations on Saturday.

In a televised address to the nation, Merino announced his resignation and insisted he acted within the law when he was sworn into office as chief of state on Tuesday, following congress's removal of the elected president in an impeachment vote.