Protest: Day 2: CNRP & CPP Meeting ...

 From AFP: 

Cambodia's political rivals held fresh crisis talks Monday as thousands of protesters massed for a second day following violent clashes against a disputed election that left one demonstrator dead and several wounded.

Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy met for several hours at the National Assembly in search of a way out of the deepening political standoff triggered by July polls marred by allegations of electoral fraud.

In a joint statement released afterwards, they said they had agreed on three points -- to heed the king's call for an end to the violence, to set up a mechanism to bring about election reform in the future and to continue negotiations.

The talks followed violent clashes in the capital Phnom Penh Sunday on the fringes of a mass demonstration that drew an estimated 20,000 opposition supporters demanding an independent probe into the vote.

Security forces fired smoke grenades, tear gas and water cannon at rock-throwing protesters.

The opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) blamed the authorities for the death of a protester who, according to witnesses, was shot in the head.

"The CNRP strongly condemns the cruel violence by police who shot and beat people... causing a youth to die and many injuries and arrests by the authorities," it said in a statement.

Military police spokesman Kheng Tito denied the security forces had fired live ammunition.

"The military police used only batons and shields and police used tear gas. We did not use live rounds," he said late Sunday.

Thousands of opposition protesters joined the second of three planned days of rallies in a park in the capital on Monday to keep up the pressure on Hun Sen.

"Our votes were robbed," said 56-year-old Srin Chea, who travelled from southern Kandal province.

"I am angry. I want justice. I am not afraid of death."

Hun Sen, 61, has been in power for 28 years and has vowed to rule until he is 74.

His government is regularly accused of ignoring human rights and suppressing political dissent.

Rainsy addressed cheering supporters at the main protest site on Sunday, calling for a recount or new vote.

He said opposition lawmakers would boycott the opening of the parliament on September 23 unless the government addressed the alleged election irregularities.

"Brothers, this is an important mission to rescue the nation," Rainsy told demonstrators, many holding banners reading "my vote, my nation" and "where is my vote?"

The violence came despite a rare meeting on Saturday between Rainsy and Hun Sen, hosted by King Norodom Sihamoni, that was later described by the opposition leader as a "first step" towards ending the crisis.

In a statement released on Monday, Sihamoni offered condolences to the families of the dead and injured.

"I would like to appeal to compatriots -- both demonstrators and the authorities -- to stop all violence such as throwing rocks and using weapons that would inflict injuries and death and cause serious danger to our entire nation," he said.