Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has denounced the mine workers strike and the ensuing riots in the Copperbelt Province which saw dozens arrested because they turned to violence after their requirement of 100 percent salary increment was denied.

"We will not allow lawlessness to prevail in this country," said Mwanawasa while addressing over 30 ambassadors and high commissioners who were called back to share their views on the country's new foreign policy.

Mwanawasa also condemned Michael Sata, leader of opposition party Patriotic Front (PF), for allegedly inciting the riots despite the mine company agreed to increase mine workers' salary by 30 percent.

"This is the man who wants to rule the country tomorrow," said Mwanawasa, referring to Sata of PF. "How is he going to rule the country if his whole motive is to promote violence?"

"This kind of violence must be stopped, and stopped with a strong hand," he said.

The president also called upon the ambassadors to give their input in the development of the country.

"The development of this country is not going to be achieved only by myself or a few of us. All of us must participate in the process," said Mwanawasa.

"We believe that everyone of us has a moral duty to ensure thatthis country is removed from poverty. We should all work harder towards this direction," he said.

The strike in the Copperbelt Province starting from last Tuesday caused a loss up to 20 million US dollars to the mine company, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), according to the Times of Zambia.

The raging miners damaged computers and other properties of thecompany, blocked roads in the mining town of Chingola and crashed several vehicles. And on Thursday, a bomb explosion hit one of KCM's mines, which initial investigation indicated was carried out byminers.

Source: Xinhua