By Xinhua,
Ulan Bator : Television and radio channels were back on the air and locals strolled leisurely on the street after the state of emergency in this Mongolian capital was lifted.
But a solution to the political riot which killed five people and injured 300 others is widely believed unlikely in the foreseeable future.
Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar declared late Saturday night that the four-day state of emergency in Ulan Bator was lifted as of midnight Saturday local time (1600 GMT).
Life in Ulan Bator seemed to have returned to normalcy after the state of emergency was lifted. In the central square of the city, peddlers were selling souvenirs, and photographers taking pictures for the tourists. Several traffic policemen were seen in the main streets of Ulan Bator.
Prime Minister Sanjaagiin Bayar urged citizens not to repeat last week’s riot, which was triggered by allegations of election fraud.
Television and radio channels that had been temporarily shut down during the state of emergency were also back on the air.
In the biggest “Narantuul” market of the city, people were busy shopping, preparing for the coming National Day. However, a ban on liquor sales was still in effect in some shops.
Mongolia’s parliamentary elections were held last Sunday. The Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) won the election. However, the opposition Democratic Party challenged the result and demanded recounts and possible fresh elections in some districts.
Supporters of the Democratic Party and other parties marched on Tuesday in protest against alleged voting fraud in the elections.
The protest soon turned into riots, with five people reportedly killed and more than 300 others injured. Mongolian president declared a four-day state of emergency in the capital from Wednesday.
The parties, who had seats in the parliament, agreed to negotiate a solution to the political riots, pledging to deal with the alleged voting fraud of the parliamentary election with rule of laws.
The parties failed on Sunday to reach any agreement on how to address complaints over last week’s election.
The political uncertainty will delay formation of a new government that would be tasked with passing agreements to allow Mongolia’s vast mining wealth to finally be exploited and tackling inflation running in double-digits.
Bayar admitted that it was too early to discuss the formation of a new cabinet until Mongolia’s election commission announces a final result in the vote.
A joint declaration signed by the conflicting parties on Friday, urging against any further violence, also helped alleviate the tension.