|
Calm has returned to cities across Zambia following riots by opposition supporters protesting against the re-election of President Levy Mwanawasa, police said Wednesday.
Ephraim Mateyo, the country's national police chief, said the situation had returned to normal in all the cities that witnessed riots since the weekend although the riot squad was still on standby for any fresh disturbances.
"Reports reaching my office indicates that calm has returned in all the cities in the country," Mateyo said on state radio.
Opposition supporters, mainly backing veteran politician Michael Sata, went on the rampage in parts of the country from Sunday when it emerged that the Patriotic Front leader was going to lose to Mwanawasa.
Sata told reporters Wednesday that he was impressed with the conduct of the police and army soldiers who were deployed in various cities to quell the riots because they did not "kill anybody."
"They were given live bullets but they spared human life. I am very thankful to them because live bullets are not for ordinary civilians," Sata said.
But he warned Mwanawasa's supporters not to provoke his followers in the aftermath of the disputed elections to avoid the risk of bloodshed.
"Please, don't provoke the situation. Keep that coffin away," said Sata in reference to clashes Tuesday night between his backers and Mwanawasa supporters who were carrying a coffin to symbolise Sata's political death.
Mwanawasa was sworn in for a second term of office in Tuesday after elections on September 28 which Sata claims were rigged. - Sapa-AFP
|
