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Banda declared Zambian president Banda sworn in as Zambian leader
(about 2 hours later)
Zambia's acting head of state, Rupiah Banda, has been declared the winner of Thursday's controversial presidential vote, election authorities said. Zambia's acting head of state, Rupiah Banda, has been sworn in as president, just two hours after officials said he had narrowly won Thursday's election.
Official results show he beat the main opposition candidate, Michael Sata, by a narrow margin. According to final results, Mr Banda beat the main opposition candidate, Michael Sata, by 40.1% to 38.1%.
Mr Banda is expected to be sworn in later on Sunday. Earlier, Mr Sata rejected the result, saying a "bunch of thieves" had stolen the vote. His Patriotic Front said it would go to court to demand a recount.
Earlier, Mr Sata rejected the result, saying a "bunch of thieves" had stolen the vote, but election monitors said the polls had been free and fair. But African regional electoral monitors said voting had been free and fair.
Mr Sata's Patriotic Front party said it would go to court to demand a recount. The governing Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) said it recognised this was a moment of high emotion and tension, and urged all Zambians to calm down and work for unity and peace.
The African Union and the 15-nation Southern African Development Community (Sadc) have brushed aside claims of fraud. Security has been stepped up in the capital, Lusaka, amid fears of further unrest.
Late on Saturday, riot police fired tear gas at Mr Sata's supporters, who marched through a crowded Lusaka slum, setting fire to market stalls and throwing stones in the streets. On Saturday evening, riot police fired tear gas at Mr Sata's supporters, who marched through a crowded Lusaka slum, setting fire to market stalls and throwing stones in the streets.
Mr Banda took over from President Levy Mwanawasa who died in August having suffered a stroke a few months earlier. Mr Banda took over from President Levy Mwanawasa, who died in August having suffered a stroke a few months earlier.
The 71-year-old former diplomat and ex-vice-president has promised to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor.The 71-year-old former diplomat and ex-vice-president has promised to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor.
Although Mr Mwanawasa reined in inflation and built up impressive foreign reserves, Zambia remains one of the world's poorest countries with more than 60% of the population living on less than $2 a day.Although Mr Mwanawasa reined in inflation and built up impressive foreign reserves, Zambia remains one of the world's poorest countries with more than 60% of the population living on less than $2 a day.
Mr Banda will serve until 2011 - when Mr Mwanawasa's term would have ended. Mr Banda will serve until 2011, when Mr Mwanawasa's term would have ended.