Zambia’s acting president has rescinded his decision to dismiss the ruling party’s chief in a bid to defuse a political conflict that triggered riots in the capital.

Police and demonstrators have clashed in Zambia’s capital during protests against the acting president, a white Zambian who fired the ruling party’s chief after the death last week of president Michael Sata.

The chairwoman of the Electoral Commission of Zambia said challenger Michael Sata has defeated the incumbent in presidential elections.

RUPIAH BANDA, a pro-business centrist, was sworn in as Zambia’s president yesterday after a narrow election win, but the main opposition party said it would challenge the result in court.

The Zambian president’s re-election bid was declared successful after a bitter campaign and violent protests following his victory at the polls.