Sanders beats Clinton in Alaska Democratic caucuses

A bird lands on Bernie Sanders' podium as he speaks on March 25, 2016, in Portland, Oregon. PHOTO: AFP

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Bernie Sanders soundly defeated Hillary Clinton in Alaska's Democratic caucuses on Saturday, giving his campaign a much-needed boost as he seeks to disrupt Clinton's path to the party's presidential nomination.

Television networks gave Sanders nearly 79 per cent against 21 per cent for Clinton in the western state where 16 delegates are up for grabs.

The Vermont senator also appeared poised to make a crucial win in the state of Washington where 101 delegates are at stake.

Caucuses were also being held in Hawaii, where 25 delegates will be allocated.

Heading into Saturday, Clinton had already amassed 1,711 delegates, including super-delegates who are unelected by voters, compared to 952 for Sanders, according to a CNN count.

To win the Democratic nomination, 2,383 delegates are needed.

(This is a developing story.)

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