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Anti-government Protests Spread Outside Ethiopia's Capital


Anti-government protests have spread to other parts of Ethiopia after several days of deadly clashes between police and demonstrators in the capital, Addis Ababa.

Witnesses say protests have erupted in towns, including Dessie, in the Amhara region several hundred kilometers north of the capital.

In Addis Ababa, gunfire echoed around the city Friday for the fourth straight day, and youths tried to stop passengers from using buses. At least two people were wounded.

Opposition supporters are protesting last May's elections, alleging massive fraud. The violence has left at least 42 people dead and more than 150 wounded.

Authorities have arrested scores of demonstrators and some opposition leaders, including the head of the main opposition party, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy.

On Thursday, Ethiopia's information minister Berhan Hailu told VOA the protests are illegal. He blamed the violence on what he called "politically motivated people" who have attacked police and damaged property.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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