New Malawi rival rejects results

John Tembo's party has become the largest in parliament

The runner-up in Malawi's presidential polls has ruled out backing the newly elected leader, to give him a majority in parliament.

John Tembo, whose Malawi Congress Party (MCP) won the most seats in parliament, said he was unhappy with the official results of last week's poll.

At least four people were killed in protests against the results which gave the presidency to Bingu wa Mutharika.

International observers have described "serious anomalies" in the poll.

Olive branch

Mr Mutharika's United Democratic Front won 49 seats in the 193-seat parliament and so needs the support of other groups if the president is to have parliamentary backing.

The MCP, the former ruling party, won 60 seats - more than any other party but short of a majority.

ELECTION RESULTS PRESIDENTIAL RACE Bingu wa Mutharika, UDF: 35% John Tembo, MCP: 27% Gwanda Chakuamba, Mgwirizano: 26% NEW PARLIAMENT MCP: 60 seats UDF: 49 seats Mgwirizano: 28 seats Independents: 38 seats Source: Malawi Election Commission Profile: Bingu wa Mutharika Q&A: Was it fair?

Mr Tembo told the BBC's Network Africa programme he had no intention of supporting the government and would hold talks with other opposition parties.

"I have never seen anywhere where heads of state are invited from outside, before the results are known," he said.

In his inauguration speech on Monday, Mr Mutharika said he was ready to work with the opposition and urged them to "bury the hatchet" and move forward.

Constitutional expert Edge Kanyongolo told Network Africa that Mr Mutharika may be able to secure the backing of the 38 independent MPs, who are mostly former UDF members.

This would still leave the president four seats short of a parliamentary majority, however voting was postponed in six constituencies.

Township violence

The stadium was only a quarter full for the inauguration, the BBC's Raphael Tenthani reported from the capital Blantyre.

In the distance, the sound of gunfire could be heard as police clashed with opposition supporters, who were protesting against the results.

Over the weekend, UDF offices were destroyed in Ndirande, outside Blantyre.

The opposition says the polls were rigged

A former World Bank economist and planning minister, Mr Mutharika was hand-picked by outgoing President Bakili Muluzi, who is bowing out after two terms as leader of one of the world's poorest nations.

Commonwealth and European Union observers had criticised the running of the election, which will also determine the make-up of the new parliament, for "serious inadequacies".

Veteran opposition politician Gwanda Chakuamba of the Mgwirizano coalition accused the electoral commission of tampering with the results to guarantee the ruling party's victory.

He said that his own monitors and independent observers put him in the lead, Mr Tembo second and Mr Mutharika third.

Even before the results were announced, Mr Chakuamba's supporters staged protests in Blantyre on Saturday to voice their anger at the conduct of the election.

Election officials deny vote-tampering.

Free and fair elections could be key for Malawi's capacity to secure development aid to deal with poverty and Aids, which affects 14% of the population.