Pakistan ? Police used tear gas and batons to disperse lawyers protesting a new – and widely expected – legal victory Saturday for President Gen. Pervez Musharraf re-election bid.

A day after the Supreme Court dismissed several petitions challenging Musharraf’s pursuit of a new five-year term, the Election Commission approved his candidacy. Saturday’s ruling is expected to be challenged.

Police first tried to disperse the lawyers, then turned on journalists covering the chaotic clashes. Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim was also caught up in the melee, receiving a few punches from protesters before being bundled into a car by aides and driven away.