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Election Riots Kill 5 In Mongolia

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia ?€” A riot in Mongolia's capital over alleged election fraud has killed five people, dampening hopes for a period of stable government to develop the mining sector and tackle inflation.

President Nambariin Enkhbayar declared a four-day state of emergency late Tuesday after protesters upset over last weekend's election clashed with police and set fire to the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party headquarters.

"At this moment, the situation in the capital city is relatively normal. It is very peaceful compared to yesterday, but the troops need to stay in the street," the chief of police, Amarbold, said on state television.

Justice Minister Monkh-Orgil said about 220 civilians and 108 servicemen were injured in the clashes. Around 700 protesters have been detained.

Mongolia's election committee has yet to announce the final result of Sunday's vote, but preliminary results give the MPRP, which ruled the country for much of the last century, a clear majority in the 76-seat parliament.

The opposition Democratic Party said it did not accept the projected outcome but disavowed the violence and hoped for a meeting with the MPRP.

The uncertainty threatens to further delay deals that could unlock vast reserves of copper, coal, uranium and other resources beneath the country's vast steppes and deserts, seen as key to lifting the Central Asian state out of poverty.

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