Dominican president's main rival concedes defeat

SANTO DOMINGO, May 16 (Reuters) - The leading rival of Dominican President Leonel Fernandez conceded defeat in Friday's presidential election, saying his center-left Dominican Revolutionary Party estimated that Fernandez had won.

"I accept and recognize the results of the elections," businessman Miguel Vargas Maldonado said in a speech at his campaign headquarters.

He stopped short of congratulating Fernandez, however, saying the ballot had been skewed by "the most shameful use of state resources." (Reporting by Tom Brown, Editing by Michael Christie)