Mondlane back in Moz

OPPOSITION LEADER RETURNS AMID POST-ELECTION CHAOS

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Mozambique's main opposition leader yesterday returned from more than two months in exile, saying he was ready to take part in talks over disputed election results that have led to weeks of deadly protests.

Venancio Mondlane, who claims the 9 October election was stolen from him, arrived at Maputo's main airport from an unknown location and was greeted by a large crowd of journalists.

"I'm here in the flesh to say that if you want to negotiate... I'm here," Mondlane told reporters in a message to the authorities.

Mondlane had called on his supporters to meet him on arrival but security forces restricted access to the airport.

At one of several barriers erected around the area, security forces shot and wounded a man among a group of about 200 people, an AFP reporter at the scene said.