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Zambian leader says will not declare state of emergency despite political violence

Xinhua, July 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Zambian President Edgar Lungu said on Monday that he will not declare a state of emergency despite persisted political violence ahead of next month's general elections.

The Zambian leader said it would be inappropriate to declare a state of emergency during an election but indicated that he was closely monitoring pockets of politically motivated violence ahead of the August 11 polls.

Lungu however told journalists at the Lusaka International Airport before departure for Uganda that political leaders should restrain their supporters from engaging in violence and that all parties should be free to campaign.

Pockets of violence have characterized campaigns ahead of the polls, especially between Lungu's supporters and those of main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema.

A number of supporters of the two leaders have been arrested for engaging in violence as well as for tearing posters of the two leaders.

Lungu has gone to Uganda to attend the 40th anniversary of the Entebbe Operation, which was a successful counter-terrorist hostage-rescue mission, carried out by the Israel Defense Forces, at Entebbe Airport in Uganda on July 4, 1976, a week after an Air France plane with 248 passengers had been hijacked by pro-Palestinian militants.

Lungu will be among six other leaders invited by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni who also includes Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau.

The leaders were also expected to hold a closed door summit on counter-terrorism. Endit