Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Monday slammed an EU report critical of the country's May 15 parliamentary election, saying that the report was characterized in a "pack of lies."

The report, issued here on Thursday by Ana Gomes, chief of the EU Election Observation Mission, said the electoral process in the Africa country failed to meet international standards.

It noted the widespread human rights abuses with opposition members arrested and witnesses to election violations intimidated.

However, Meles said the EU report was biased and unfounded.

"The EU report speaks for itself. The statement in my view shows that the mission has turned out to be something worse than a farce," Meles said at a joint news conference with visiting Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.

"We shall in the coming days and weeks see what we can do to expose the pack of lies and innuendoes that characterize the garbage in this report."

Meles said the report would affect the relations between his country and the European Union.

"What the implications of this will be in terms of relations between Ethiopia and the European Union, we will have to wait and see but I don't think you will be surprised if Ethiopia were to insist that it should not be patronized," he said.

The European Union, one of the country's largest donors, grants nearly 500 million US dollars each year, funding food aid and development schemes.

The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, led by Prime Minister Meles, retains control of parliament, according to official election results that have been ratified.

Source: Xinhua