Protests erupt in Brazil as President Dilma Rousseff's impeachment trial comes to an end

Protests have erupted in Brazil as the country's President Dilma Rousseff's impeachment trial comes to an end.

Supporters of the suspended president demonstrated as she presented her defence at an impeachment trial in the Senate.

Rousseff is accused of illegally manipulating the government budget and has denied all allegations.

She has described the impeachment proceedings as an attempted coup d'état.

The president was re-elected to power by 54 million voters in 2014.

The political trial has paralysed government, overshadowed the Olympics, and impacted the economy.

Rousseff made an emotional plea before Brazil's senate, saying: "I'm here to look in your eyes and say with the serenity of someone who has nothing to hide that I haven't committed any crimes.

"Today Brazil, the world and history are watching us and waiting for the outcome of this impeachment process."

The impeachment vote will take place after the questions and closing arguments have concluded.

The support of two-thirds of the Senate is required to remove Rousseff from office, which would end a decade of leftist rule by her Workers Party.

If she is impeached, interim President Michel Temer would take to serve out the remainder of the presidential term through 2018.