Zambian police fired tear gas and arrested 70 opposition supporters in the capital on Sunday as President Levy Mwanawasa widened his lead in an election the main challenger has labelled a "conspiracy" to rig the vote, Reuters reported. Police armed with guns and batons sprayed tear gas to disperse around 100 supporters of opposition leader Michael Sata who gathered outside the main vote counting centre, wielding placards with slogans such as "Mwanawasa you will not get it". Police said 71 supporters were arrested, detained and charged with "conduct likely to breach the peace". Results on Sunday indicated Mwanawasa -- who has been praised by international donors for his economic policies but lacks Sata's appeal among the poor -- had widened his lead, pushing Sata into third place behind wealthy businessman Hakainde Hichilema.
