UN chief urges Mongolian parties to exercise restraint

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Source: CCTV.com | 07-03-2008 13:17

Mongolia stepped up security in the capital Ulan Bator on Wednesday, at the start of a four-day state of emergency declared after riots over alleged election fraud killed at least five people. The international community is calling for dialogue to resolve the political dispute.

Protestors from the rival Democratic Party gather outside  the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party headquarters  in Ulan Bator on July 1, 2008. (AFP/File/Jude Mak)

Armed soldiers and police patrolled the streets of Ulan Bator, with armored vehicles guarding intersections in the capital.

President Nambaryn Enkhbayar declared the state of emergency after protesters mobbed the headquarters of the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party. They set the building on fire and threw rocks at riot police.

The president also issued a decree that imposed an overnight curfew and allowed police to use force in dealing with demonstrators.

There were no immediate signs of tension on Wednesday morning. A small group of people gathered in Ulan Bator's main square in the afternoon, but dispersed after police threatened to use force.

Through a spokesperson, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged all sides to show restraint and solve the election-triggered crisis through dialogue.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says revolutionary activity must stop and the issue needs to be solved lawfully.

Lavrov said, "Regarding the Mongolian elections, any questions on the election results arising from the opposition in this country - as in any country - must be resolved in accordance with constitutional procedures and not by hitting the streets and the destruction of law and order. I count on the process moving forward according to the constitution."

Mongolia's election committee has yet to announce the final results of Sunday's vote. But preliminary results give the ruling MPRP party a clear majority in the 76-seat parliament.

Editor:Du Xiaodan