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Zambian President Guy Scott in row over Edgar Lungu sacking Zambian President Guy Scott in row over Edgar Lungu sacking
(about 3 hours later)
Zambia's defence minister has said the new interim President Guy Scott has illegally dismissed him from a powerful governing party post. Zambia's interim President Guy Scott has reinstated defence minister and presidential hopeful, Edgar Lungu, to a powerful governing party post.
Edgar Lungu also said he had broken a "cultural taboo" by dismissing him as the Patriot Front's secretary-general before President Michael Sata's burial. Mr Lungu had said his sacking was illegal and highly provocative at a time of mourning for President Michael Sata, who died last week.
Mr Scott became acting leader - Zambia's first white head of state - following Mr Sata's death. Correspondents say a power struggle has been unfolding in the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) over the succession.
A small crowd protested against Mr Scott's decision in the capital. Mr Scott said all campaigning was banned until after Mr Sata's burial.
Mr Scott's appointment was in accordance with Zambia's constitution, which requires the vice-president - a post he held since 2011 - to assume presidential duties until elections take place within 90 days. Mr Scott became acting leader - Zambia's first white head of state - in accordance with the country's constitution, which requires the vice-president to assume presidential duties until elections take place within 90 days.
But he is ineligible to run for president in the elections because of a constitutional clause barring candidates whose parents were not born in Zambia. As the constitution stands, he is ineligible to run for president in the elections because it bars candidates whose parents were not born in Zambia.
Power struggle 'Inflammatory statements'
In a statement, Mr Lungu, a presidential hopeful, said his sacking was "illegal and and highly provocative". The BBC's Meluse Kapatamoyo in the capital, Lusaka, says the initial sacking surprised many people as Mr Scott himself had urged people not to play politics while the nation mourns Mr Sata.
The BBC's Meluse Kapatamoyo in the capital, Lusaka, says Mr Scott's move has surprised many people as he himself had urged people not to play politics while the nation mourns Mr Sata's death.
A small group of PF supporters burnt barricades in Lusaka on Monday evening to protest against Mr Lungu's dismissal, our reporter says.
Guy ScottGuy Scott
Guy Scott's rise to Zambia's presidencyGuy Scott's rise to Zambia's presidency
Significantly, MP Davies Mwila, whom Mr Scott named as the new secretary-general, declined the post, she adds. A small group of supporters of the governing Patriot Front (PF) party burnt barricades in Lusaka on Monday evening to protest against Mr Lungu's dismissal, our reporter says.
The interim president is now meeting senior party leaders to discuss the crisis. Many Zambians believe the dismissal was intended to block Mr Lungu's chances of becoming the PF's presidential candidate in upcoming elections, she says.
Many Zambians believe Mr Scott's move was intended to block Mr Lungu's chances of becoming the PF's presidential candidate in upcoming elections, our correspondent says.
Mr Scott, 70, is seen to be allied with Mr Lungu's rival Wynter Kabimba, the ex-justice minister.Mr Scott, 70, is seen to be allied with Mr Lungu's rival Wynter Kabimba, the ex-justice minister.
Thousands of people have been viewing Mr Sata's body at the Mulungushi International Conference Center ahead of his funeral on 11 November, our reporter says. In reinstating Mr Lungu as the PF's secretary-general, Mr Scott stressed the need for unity as Zambia mourns Mr Sata.
"All party members, cadres and others must immediately desist from any form of unrest or violence. It is completely unacceptable that our grief and mourning be marred by violence and disorder such as has been observed in some places over night and today," his statement said.
He also urged party members not to issue "inflammatory statements".
Thousands of people have been viewing Mr Sata's body at the Mulungushi International Conference Center ahead of his funeral on 11 November.
He died of an undisclosed illness at a UK hospital last week, aged 77.He died of an undisclosed illness at a UK hospital last week, aged 77.
Our correspondent says most people see Mr Scott as a Zambian, and do not regard his race as an issue.Our correspondent says most people see Mr Scott as a Zambian, and do not regard his race as an issue.