Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Tuesday announced a one-month extension of a ban on outdoor meetings and demonstration imposed after the May 15 parliamentary elections.

The prime minister said in a statement the extension was aimed at ensuring the peace and security of the people in the country.

He also urged security forces to discharge their responsibilities with patience and minimized risks.

Meles said a mechanism has been devised to entertain complaints and grievances regarding the elections, adding it was decided complaints would be probed into in the presence of contesting parties and international observers.

Though several complaints were lodged by opposition parties both before and after the elections, most of them were groundless, he said.

He said efforts were being made to investigate the complaints over alleged election irregularities, saying violence was instigated in the capital Addis Ababa under the pretext of election irregularities.

Last Wednesday, police and security forces in the capital opened fire on stone-throwing protesters. At least 36 people were killed in clashes with the police.

However, Meles said the government expresses its sadness over the death of compatriots as result of the violation of the one- month ban on outdoor meetings.

The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front ( EPRDF) blamed the opposition parties for inciting the worst violence seen in the capital in four years. However, the opposition parties denied they were behind the protests and ensuing violence.

The opposition parties have accused Meles' EPRDF party of massive electoral fraud. The ruling party retains control of parliament according to official election results that have not yet been ratified.

Source: Xinhua