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Zimbabwe names date for run-off Zimbabwe names date for run-off
(30 minutes later)
The second-round run-off in Zimbabwe's disputed presidential election will be held on 27 June, the government says.The second-round run-off in Zimbabwe's disputed presidential election will be held on 27 June, the government says.
The electoral commission's announcement was made in a government gazette.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai beat President Robert Mugabe in the first round, but not by enough to avoid a run-off, according to official data.Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai beat President Robert Mugabe in the first round, but not by enough to avoid a run-off, according to official data.
Mr Tsvangirai says he will contest the second round, but accuses Mr Mugabe's party of a campaign of intimidation against potential opposition voters. Mr Tsvangirai says he will contest the second round, after originally threatening to boycott it.
He had originally threatened to boycott the vote, because of what he said were government attempts to rig it, but last weekend said he would take part. He has accused Mr Mugabe's party of vote-rigging and intimidation of potential opposition voters.
Mugabe may be the figurehead but the people who have taken over are the military Morgan Tsvangirai class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7398541.stm">Diary: Living in limbo His Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party says the government and army has beaten and tortured MDC supporters in an attempt to either keep them away from the polls or intimidate them into voting for the ruling party.
His Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party has accused the government and army of beating and torturing MDC supporters in an attempt to either keep them away from the polls or intimidate them into voting for the ruling party.
Mr Tsvangirai said on Friday that "violence has to cease for an election to be conducted or that election will not be legitimate".Mr Tsvangirai said on Friday that "violence has to cease for an election to be conducted or that election will not be legitimate".
However, Mr Tsvangirai told the BBC that Mr Mugabe had lost control of the country and that the army was now in charge. The BBC's Orla Guerin interviews Morgan Tsvangirai
However, he told the BBC that Mr Mugabe had lost control of the country and that the army was now in charge.
"Mugabe may be the figurehead but the people who have taken over are the military," he told the BBC's Orla Guerin."Mugabe may be the figurehead but the people who have taken over are the military," he told the BBC's Orla Guerin.
Unity talks
Zimbabwe has been in political crisis since parliamentary and presidential elections on 29 March.Zimbabwe has been in political crisis since parliamentary and presidential elections on 29 March.
Unity talks
Mr Mugabe told a party meeting on Friday that the first-round result was "disastrous", the AFP news agency reports.
"Fundamentally we went to the election completely unprepared, unorganised... Our structures went to sleep, were in deep slumber in circumstances of an all-out war," he was quoted as saying.
Mr Mugabe also accused opposition followers of terrorising Zanu-PF supporters, warning that they were "playing a dangerous game".
The run-off was due to be held by 23 May - 21 days after the results of the first round were announced - but the government then issued an emergency law allowing it 90 days to organise the new poll.The run-off was due to be held by 23 May - 21 days after the results of the first round were announced - but the government then issued an emergency law allowing it 90 days to organise the new poll.
Mr Tsvangirai said that was a plot to allow the government to organise further intimidation.Mr Tsvangirai said that was a plot to allow the government to organise further intimidation.
The BBC's Orla Guerin interviews Morgan Tsvangirai
Nonetheless, he told the BBC that exploratory contacts were under way between the MDC and the ruling Zanu-PF.Nonetheless, he told the BBC that exploratory contacts were under way between the MDC and the ruling Zanu-PF.
Mr Tsvangirai said Zanu-PF had made "overtures" to the MDC about the possibility of a national unity government.Mr Tsvangirai said Zanu-PF had made "overtures" to the MDC about the possibility of a national unity government.
"Nothing concrete has been put in place, but on the sidelines there may be: 'Can we talk?' at a very minimum stage," he said."Nothing concrete has been put in place, but on the sidelines there may be: 'Can we talk?' at a very minimum stage," he said.
He added: "Every conflict ends up at the negotiating table. We are open to the idea, but it's certainly not a priority."He added: "Every conflict ends up at the negotiating table. We are open to the idea, but it's certainly not a priority."
Return for campaignReturn for campaign
Mr Tsvangirai has been out of Zimbabwe since the first-round vote because of alleged threats to his life.Mr Tsvangirai has been out of Zimbabwe since the first-round vote because of alleged threats to his life.
But the MDC says he will return to address a rally in Bulawayo on Sunday.But the MDC says he will return to address a rally in Bulawayo on Sunday.
The MDC says 35 people have been killed since the election and thousands displaced and tortured.The MDC says 35 people have been killed since the election and thousands displaced and tortured.
But Zanu-PF says there is no government campaign of intimidation and blames the violence on the MDC.But Zanu-PF says there is no government campaign of intimidation and blames the violence on the MDC.