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Mongolia calls state of emergency | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The president of Mongolia has declared a four-day state of emergency in the capital amid violent protests over claims the general election was rigged. | |
Public gatherings are banned in Ulan Bator during the emergency period. | |
Earlier, police clashed with opposition protesters as they stormed the office of the governing Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party and set it on fire. | |
Preliminary results from Sunday's poll give the MPRP a clear victory, but the opposition Democrats allege fraud. | Preliminary results from Sunday's poll give the MPRP a clear victory, but the opposition Democrats allege fraud. |
The state of emergency, which was announced on state television, came into effect late on Tuesday. | |
The presidential decree included a 2200 curfew on the streets of the capital, with the threat of arrest for anyone caught in breach of the restriction. | |
'Robbed of victory' | |
Thousands of people were involved in the protests in Ulan Bator. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas, reports said, as protesters stormed the headquarters of the MPRP. | |
Prime Minister Sanjagiin Bayar made a television address during which he insisted the election had been both free and fair. | |
He said the Democratic Party leader, Tsakhia Elbegdorj, "made a false statement and he is misleading people and inciting violence". | |
Mr Elbegdorj earlier said the Democrats had been robbed of victory. | Mr Elbegdorj earlier said the Democrats had been robbed of victory. |
"People voted for democracy, ask eight of 10 people and they will say they voted for the Democratic Party," he told reporters. | "People voted for democracy, ask eight of 10 people and they will say they voted for the Democratic Party," he told reporters. |
"If most people voted for us why did we lose? We lost because... corrupt people changed the results," Mr Elbegdorj added. | "If most people voted for us why did we lose? We lost because... corrupt people changed the results," Mr Elbegdorj added. |
Early results from the election suggest the ruling MPRP had taken at least 43 seats in the 76-seat parliament, or Great Hural. | Early results from the election suggest the ruling MPRP had taken at least 43 seats in the 76-seat parliament, or Great Hural. |
Competing for resources | Competing for resources |
In the 20th Century, Mongolia's government was modelled on the Communist system of the neighbouring Soviet Union, until 1990 when multi-party politics were introduced. | In the 20th Century, Mongolia's government was modelled on the Communist system of the neighbouring Soviet Union, until 1990 when multi-party politics were introduced. |
With an economy based on nomadic herding, Mongolia was heavily reliant on support from Moscow, but when this was withdrawn its financial systems quickly collapsed. | With an economy based on nomadic herding, Mongolia was heavily reliant on support from Moscow, but when this was withdrawn its financial systems quickly collapsed. |
During the difficult intervening period, the former Communists, the MPRP, and the emergent Democratic Party have competed for power. | During the difficult intervening period, the former Communists, the MPRP, and the emergent Democratic Party have competed for power. |
Four years ago, they were obliged to form a coalition, but in 2006 they broke apart again acrimoniously. Since then the MPRP has hung on to power through alliances with splinter parties. | Four years ago, they were obliged to form a coalition, but in 2006 they broke apart again acrimoniously. Since then the MPRP has hung on to power through alliances with splinter parties. |
Despite years of political unease, politics in Mongolia was relatively calm as long as the country was poor, the BBC's David Bamford says. | Despite years of political unease, politics in Mongolia was relatively calm as long as the country was poor, the BBC's David Bamford says. |
But that has changed, as the previously untapped and considerable mineral wealth of the vast Mongolian plateau starts to be exploited, our correspondent says. | But that has changed, as the previously untapped and considerable mineral wealth of the vast Mongolian plateau starts to be exploited, our correspondent says. |