Ex-president fears for Zambia's stability

President Mwanawasa's election was disputed by the opposition

The former President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, has warned that the political situation in the country is "volatile".

Mr Kaunda made his comments after after the incumbent head of state, Levy Mwanawasa, said that he had uncovered a plot to assassinate him and other key leaders.

Mr Kaunda urged President Mwanawasa to take action against the alleged coup plotters.

Kaunda has left the political arena

Correspondents say details of the coup plot are vague.

Mr Mwanawasa said that some people were planning to kill him because of his determination to fight corruption in the country.

He did not identify the people he suspects of planning a coup, but he said the security forces were now watching them closely.

"The nation should not be surprised that I will ask my officers to arrest a few people and prosecute them in court on charges of treason," he was quoted as saying by a Zambian newspaper, The Post.

He repeated that the fight against corruption in the country was one of his top priorities.

"What we are doing now is not a playing matter, it's a serious matter, this country should not have been as poor as it is now," Mr Mwanawasa said.

"I am doing this not because I hate those who plundered the country. I am doing it because I love my country, because people want what we are doing.

"Whether they like it or not, I am going to ensure that this programme is brought to its conclusion."

Split looming

The president also said that, as part of increased precautions, crowds of his supporters would no longer be allowed to welcome him hom from foreign trips at the airport because his enemies could hide among them.

Mr Mwanawasa came to power with 29% of the vote in last December's election.

Opposition parties alleged massive fraud and took the case to court.

Mr Mwanawasa is also facing a split withing his ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy party.