ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Anti-government violence spread outside Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, and the death toll surpassed 40, the BBC reported.

One woman was killed in the capital, and police arrested and took truckloads of opposition supporters away in the fourth day of protests over national elections in May.

Violence also was reported in the eastern city of Dire Dawa and southern city of Awassa, as well as four northern towns, the BBC said Saturday.

Friday, police arrested all 15 members of the African country's main opposition party's central committee. The Coalition for Unity and Democracy has claimed the May elections were rigged, and is being blamed by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's EPRDF party for fueling the violence.

In the capital, all taxis and most cars are off the streets, which are being heavily patrolled by soldiers in armored cars, the report said.