2,000 rally in Mongolian capital over corruption
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-16 13:59

About 2,000 people rallied Monday in the central square of Mongolia's capital in a new wave of protests over official corruption, demanding the resignation of the country's president and dissolution of parliament.

Mongolians march past the heavily secured parliament during a demonstration in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator January 16, 2006. [Reuters]

Hundreds of people gathered in Ulan Bator's vast central square at noon (0400GMT), and roared their approval as protest leaders called out for the resignation of President Nambaryn Enkhbayar, who they called "the father of corruption."

"Dawn has broken in Mongolia. We are getting poorer everyday and corrupt officials are getting richer. Now is the time to take action," a leaflet distributed by the rally organizers said.

The protest was organized by the Mongolian United Movement, an alliance of three civic movements that have been calling for political reform in this vast nation.

The country has been thrown into political turmoil since the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party, the largest political party, withdrew from the ruling coalition last week.

Protesters accuse the MPRP, which ruled the country up until the 1990s, of trying to seize power for itself.