The prime minister of Moldova said today that authorities in the former Soviet republic were prepared to use all means including weapons, if new opposition protests turn violent.
Zinaida Greceanii, in a television address to the nation, said the opposition was planning to stage new rallies tomorrow and Sunday against the Communist Party's election victory last weekend and warned that the rallies could lead to casualties.
"Organisers of the biggest crime in Moldova's history are preparing tomorrow and on Sunday to again use our children to organise a rampage in the government building," she said.
"If we allow this, it will be difficult to avoid casualties. Police will use all means to protect Moldova's constitutional order, including weapons," she added.
Thousands of pro-Western demonstrators looted and set fire to the parliament and the president's offices in central Chisinau on Tuesday. They alleged rigging in elections which gave the ruling Communist party nearly half the vote.
Veteran communist President Vladimir Voronin accused neighbouring Romania of trying to stage a coup. Moldova has imposed a visa regime on Romania, expelled its ambassador and denied entry to more than 19 Romanian journalists.
Romanian Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu described Moldova's actions as discriminatory and the imposition of visas as "reckless".
After at least 193 people were arrested in Tuesday's riots, the European Union urged Moldova to drop punitive measures against Romania and respect constitutional freedoms.
Reuters