Hedegaard resigns post as president of Copenhagen talks

In a surprise move, the president of the UN climate conference, Connie Hedegaard, has resigned her post at the talks, stepping down to be replaced by Danish prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

Hedegaard told the summit that the move was procedural and was intended to ensure that the key meetings between heads of state were headed by the Danish premier.

"With so many heads of state and government having arrived, it's appropriate that the prime minister of Denmark presides," she said. "However, the prime minister has appointed me as his special representative and I will thus continue to negotiate the... outcome with my colleagues."

The change in president was not expected and it will fuel speculation that Hedegaard has stepped down under pressure from poorer nations who have accused her of favouring industrialised countries.

However, there were also rumours that Hedegaard had been opposed to some of the elements in the leaked "Danish Text" prepared by a small group of rich nations, and that Rasmussen's intervention was intended to try and force through some of the more controversial proposals in the draft document.

Diplomats from rich countries are expected to use much of today attempting to reassure poorer nations that the proposals currently on the table will not water down their commitments to cut emissions and increase climate funding.

Meanwhile, clashes have taken place outside the Bella Centre that hosts the talks, after thousands of protestors attempted to gain entry to the building.

The "Reclaim Power" march, organised by the Climate Justice Action and Climate Justice Now! groups, had planned to try and gain access to the Bella Centre and hold a "people's assembly" protesting at the direction of the talks.

However, the group of several thousand protestors were blocked by police and 150 arrests have reportedly been made during the resulting clashes.

The conflict came as a number of mainstream NGOs including Friends of the Earth were barred entry to the talks today.

"We understand there has been unhappiness at some of the actions inside, but no formal explanation has been given," Andy Atkins, director of Friends of the Earth told the Guardian. "It is completely out of order. People are outraged at what is going on. Big mainstream organisations are being muzzled. This is madness."