LUSAKA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Newly-elected mayor of Lusaka, the Zambian capital, apologized on Wednesday for posing for photos on Facebook with a gun.

Miles Sampa caused a stir when he posted pictures of himself with a gun, accompanied by words that he will protect himself during his tour of duty.

He has since pulled down the photos.

This follows an incident on Monday in which alleged supporters of the ruling party confronted him over his strict stance to tackle the illegal land sale in the city.

Sampa, whose action has received wide condemnation, said he was sorry over his action as his office demands highest degrees of integrity and decorum both in speech and action.

"I therefore wish to apologize unreservedly to all that I may have offended consequently. I regret and am sorry to all that had reservations on my response out of the ordeal," he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

He further clarified that the incident on Monday where he was confronted does not amount to kidnapping attempt but threatening violence, adding that he felt his life was in danger hence the decision to post with a gun.