Ethiopia calm despite call for strike

Protests that left 46 dead abate, but fear of more remains

• Violence spreads after protests

• Source: Border posts reinforced

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Reuters) -- Ethiopia's main opposition party said on Monday its supporters were heeding a call for a strike over disputed polls, but many residents said they were staying at home for fear of new violence in the capital.

The government rejected the opposition's claim of success, saying life was returning to normal after last week's disturbances, which diplomats say fueled fears of increasing political instability in the Horn of Africa's dominant power.

At least 46 people were killed in a week of anti-government protests that started in the capital Addis Ababa and flared in several rural towns after a call by the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy for new protests over a May poll.

"This is a continuation of the protest measure we asked our supporters to follow to show the government cheated in the elections," said a coalition official, who asked not be named.

"We told them (our supporters) to demonstrate peacefully last Monday and to go on strike today on the seventh. They have heard us and the strike has been successful," he said.

There was uneasy calm in Addis Ababa on Monday, with little sign of taxis and public transport buses. Security forces patrolled the streets, keeping a close eye on the market where riot police confronted stone-throwing youths last week.

Opposition members said the coalition appeal for strike had been spread mainly through word of mouth. However, some Addis Ababa residents said they stayed at home for fear of renewed violence and not because they supported the coalition.

"You saw what happened last week," said one man who gave his name as Woldemariam. "I do not want to be caught up in that."

Information Minister Berhan Hailu dismissed the strike.

"The call for a strike by the extremist wing of CUD is a continuation of their illegal means to create unrest in the country," Berhan said. "The public at large has rejected the call for a strike and have started coming back to work."

Ethiopia's worst political unrest in months has prompted major donors -- the United States and European Union -- to urge the government and opposition to hold talks.

They also called on the opposition to disassociate itself from actions directly or indirectly inciting violence.

Coalition lawyers filed a lawsuit on Monday demanding the immediate and unconditional release of opposition leaders arrested on suspicion of instigating the violence.

"The CUD leadership, civil society leaders, journalists and other protesters have been detained unlawfully," said opposition lawyer Kumlachew Chekol, representing a group of 20 detainees.

Under Ethiopian law, detainees must be freed or brought before a judge to face charges within 48 hours of arrest.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Saturday an independent commission would be set up to investigate the disturbances.

Meles said coalition leaders arrested last week would face court as soon as investigations were complete. He has repeatedly accused the opposition of inciting violence and trying to topple his government.