FACTBOX: Who is Zambia's opposition leader Sata?

(Reuters) - Zambia's opposition party, the Patriotic Front, refused on Sunday to recognize results of a presidential election showing incumbent Rupiah Banda had narrowly defeated opposition leader Michael Sata, and said it would demand a recount.

Sata had ruffled diplomatic relations with China before the last presidential election in 2006, when he threatened to throw out Chinese investors and workers. He has since moderated his tone.

Here are some details about Sata:

* THE LAST ELECTION:

-- In the 2006 election, Sata had looked set to sweep Levy Mwanawasa from power on the back of strong support from Zambia's poor, who were angry that economic reforms had not improved their lives. Mwanawasa won, prompting Sata to claim fraud.

-- During the 2006 campaign, Sata threatened to expel Chinese investors, whom he accused of exploiting Zambian workers. He has changed his tune, saying now that he would welcome more Chinese investment in the mining industry.

* "KING COBRA"

-- Sata broke away from the ruling MMD in 2001 when Mwanawasa was named the party's presidential candidate, and he started the Patriotic Front.

-- In 1991, weeks before Zambia's first multi-party polls, Sata broke with independence leader Kenneth Kaunda and helped trade unionist Frederick Chiluba to clinch the presidency. The feat earned Sata the nickname "King Cobra."

-- He has held various cabinet posts during Chiluba's 10-year rule, but Chiluba bypassed him and picked Mwanawasa as his preferred successor in 2001.

* LIFE DETAILS:

-- Sata was born in the remote town of Mpika in northern Zambia on July 6, 1937. He entered politics as a municipal councilor for the former ruling UNIP party in the 1960s, rising to become governor of the capital Lusaka before Kaunda elevated him to a cabinet position.