Russia 'alarmed' over situation in Bolivia

Russia said on Monday it was "alarmed" by the "dramatic development of events" in Bolivia.

In an online statement, the country's Foreign Ministry backed Bolivian President Evo Morales, underlining that the government's was readiness to seek "constructive solutions through dialogue" had been "crushed by the opposition in an orchestrated coup".

"We are alarmed by the dramatic developments in Bolivia, where the wave of violence, unleashed by the opposition, prevented the completion of Evo Morales's presidential mandate.

"We call on all political forces of Bolivia to common sense and responsibility, finding a constitutional way out of the situation in the interests of peace, tranquility, restoration of manageability of the state institutions, the rights of all citizens and socio-economic development," said the statement.

Presidential polls were held in Bolivia on Oct. 20 and Morales obtained 47.8% of the vote, securing victory in the first round. However, the opposition claimed that fraud had been committed and some parties urged supporters to take to the streets.

After the opposition called for the polls to be cancelled, Morales announced there would be new elections, but opposition supporters said they would continue protests until an election without Morales was held.

On Sunday, Bolivian Army Chief Williams Kaliman called on Morales to step down in a nationwide address broadcast live.

Morales said he resigned and that a "coup" had been carried out against him. He said he made the decision to prevent Camacho and Carlos Mesa, a former president of Bolivia, from issuing further instructions to their supporters to attack Bolivians.