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SAO TOME, Sao Tome and Principe (AP) _ President Fradique de Menezes said Friday that a riot a day earlier in front of the government headquarters in this tiny African country was an attempt to provoke political unrest.

"Some people cannot accept my electoral victory," Menezes said after a government meeting that discussed Thursday's events. "So they use dirty and shameful methods to bring unrest to the government, to the country and to myself."

Demanding better living conditions, about a hundred demonstrators clashed with the police in front of government headquarters Thursday. The protesters, mostly young people, threw stones at the building, broke in and looted the government headquarters, including the office of the Prime Minister.

One 19-year old man died Friday after being shot while participating in the demonstration.

For months, Sao Tome has been hit by political turmoil which has stalled plans to explore recently discovered offshore oil reserves.

Since Menezes began his term in Sept. 2001, he has fired four prime ministers and dissolved Parliament once. In January, Menezes revoked a decree that called for early elections and the dissolving of Parliament after striking a deal with lawmakers eager to trim his powers.

Most of the demonstrators were thought to be young artisans protesting against a recent police decision to remove their stalls from the streets. They were asking for financing to build a place to sell their craft.

Menezes didn't say who he believes was behind the demonstration but announced that an inquiry was underway.

On Friday, the streets of Sao Tome were calm although police were guarding government and public buildings and main roads were closed to traffic.

Also, the National Radio was repeatedly broadcasting a government appeal asking for citizens to remain calm, to stay at home and to obey any further government indications.

The country, which gained independence from Portugal in 1975, is an area about 240 kilometers (150 miles) west of Gabon, one of the African continent's most active oil exploration areas.

With a population of about 165,000, it's one of the world's poorest countries though the discovery of oil reserves in its waters is expected to improve the standard of living.

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AP-NY-04-18-03 1349ED