Snowden on plane 'total lie', says Bolivian minister

Bolivian President Evo Morales's plane has been diverted to Austria amid suspicion that US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden is on board, the Bolivian foreign minister has said.

David Choquehuanca said it was a "total lie" that Mr Snowden was on the plane, adding that "someone wants to hurt our country".

France and Portugal reportedly refused to allow the Bolivia-bound flight to cross their airspace.

Mr Snowden is said to have applied for asylum in 21 countries to avoid extradition to the US.