Thailand's foreign minister has lashed out at ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, accusing him of instigating deadly street demonstrations in Bangkok and calling him a "bloody terrorist."
In comments Monday on the sidelines of a global nuclear summit in Washington, Kasit Piromya compared Mr. Thaksin to dictators Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin. Thai officials at the conference called on the international community to urge anti-government protesters to negotiate with the government to avoid military intervention.
Also on Monday, Thailand's influential army chief called for parliament to be dissolved and early elections held as the best way to end anti-government protests.
General Anupong Paojinda said he does not want to use force against the thousands of red-shirted protesters who are demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva resign.
The general said dissolving parliament appears to be the reasonable step to take.
The red-shirted protesters carried mock coffins through the streets of Bangkok Monday to mourn the victims of Saturday's violence in the Thai capital.
Twenty-one people were killed and several hundred injured when police fired at demonstrators, some of whom were also armed.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement Monday saying she and President Barack Obama are saddened by the violence and deaths.
Thailand's Election Commission Monday recommended Prime Minister Abhisit's Democrat Party be dissolved, accusing it of accepting a multi-million dollar campaign contribution in 2005.
A party spokesman says it fully complied with funding laws.
Most of the so-called "Red Shirts" support exiled Prime Minister Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup because of allegations of corruption.
The protesters call Mr. Abhisit an illegitimate leader.
Mr. Thaksin has the backing of many rural and poor Thais.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
