At least 16 people have been shot when violence broke out at an Ethiopian Christian festival in the capital

BBC News:

Some of the 10,000 crowd starting chanting opposition slogans and throwing stones at police, who responded with live bullets.

There been several violent opposition protests in Addis Ababa since last May's disputed elections.

On Thursday, the UK suspended direct aid to the government over concerns about its commitment to human rights.

All aid will now be earmarked for specific projects, UK Development Minister Hilary Benn announced on a visit to Ethiopia.

Ethiopia Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was once seen as a key British ally.

Mr Benn said there had been a "breach of trust" since more than 80 people were killed in opposition protests last year.

Some 100 opposition leaders, journalists and aid workers remain in prison on charges ranging from treason to "genocide" in connection with the unrest.

"Concerns have been raised with me about the continuing clashes between students and security forces in schools and colleges across the country," he told reporters in Addis Ababa.

Last May's polls were the most closely contested in Ethiopian history, and resulted in the opposition winning more than 100 seats in parliament.

But the opposition believed they had been cheated of victory, and took to the streets. The clashes left many dead, and Mr Meles accused the opposition of attempting to overthrow his government.

Western governments tried to bring the parties together, but with limited success.

In November, the British ambassador to Ethiopia, Bob Dewar, put out a strong statement on behalf of the European Union and the United States.

It called for respect for human rights, an end to mass arrests, the lifting of restrictions on the opposition, and the freeing of political detainees.

Until last year's elections, Mr Meles had been praised for opening up political debate and for liberalising the economy.

He was even invited to be a member of the British prime minister's Commission for Africa.

The government has blamed its opponents for the unrest and violence.

Ethiopian police fire into crowd, 16 hurt

UK imposes Ethiopian aid sanction