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Zimbabwe armed men threaten rally | Zimbabwe armed men threaten rally |
(40 minutes later) | |
Hundreds of supporters of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe have occupied a stadium in the capital, Harare, where the opposition had planned a key rally. | Hundreds of supporters of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe have occupied a stadium in the capital, Harare, where the opposition had planned a key rally. |
Zanu-PF men, armed with clubs and stones, are patrolling streets leading to the Glamis stadium, witnesses say. | Zanu-PF men, armed with clubs and stones, are patrolling streets leading to the Glamis stadium, witnesses say. |
A spokesman for the Movement for Democratic Change said it still planned to go ahead with the rally. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai was due to attend. | A spokesman for the Movement for Democratic Change said it still planned to go ahead with the rally. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai was due to attend. |
The MDC says it will decide by Monday on whether to contest run-off vote. | The MDC says it will decide by Monday on whether to contest run-off vote. |
It says at least 70 of its supporters have been killed in the run-up to the 27 June vote, which will see Mr Tsvangirai challenge Mr Mugabe. | It says at least 70 of its supporters have been killed in the run-up to the 27 June vote, which will see Mr Tsvangirai challenge Mr Mugabe. |
The MDC is due to meet on Sunday to discuss its possible withdrawal from the vote. | The MDC is due to meet on Sunday to discuss its possible withdrawal from the vote. |
"We have to evaluate whether it is worth spilling blood in the name of an election" MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told Reuters news agency. | "We have to evaluate whether it is worth spilling blood in the name of an election" MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told Reuters news agency. |
Violence feared | Violence feared |
Sunday's rally was due to go ahead after the High Court on Saturday overturned a police ban. According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of Zanu-PF youth militia have thronged the streets around the Glamis stadium, while hundreds more are inside. | Sunday's rally was due to go ahead after the High Court on Saturday overturned a police ban. According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of Zanu-PF youth militia have thronged the streets around the Glamis stadium, while hundreds more are inside. |
Carrying clubs, sticks and stones, they have been stopping cars, demanding people sing party slogans and in some cases show party cards. | Carrying clubs, sticks and stones, they have been stopping cars, demanding people sing party slogans and in some cases show party cards. |
Uniformed riot police - and observers from the South African Development Community - are on the scene. A Zimbabwean journalist has seen riot police fire tear gas, forcing some Zanu-PF supporters to run away. | |
The opposition rally had been due to begin around noon local time (1000 GMT) - and the party says it is determined to go ahead. | |
Morgan Tsvangirai say he won the vote outright in March | Morgan Tsvangirai say he won the vote outright in March |
However a party spokesman told the BBC that given the large numbers of armed Zanu-PF supporters in and around the stadium, violence is likely. | However a party spokesman told the BBC that given the large numbers of armed Zanu-PF supporters in and around the stadium, violence is likely. |
On Saturday, South Africa sent two mediators to Harare, just days after its President, Thabo Mbeki, went to Zimbabwe himself, for separate talks with Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai. | On Saturday, South Africa sent two mediators to Harare, just days after its President, Thabo Mbeki, went to Zimbabwe himself, for separate talks with Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai. |
The BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, says this is possibly a last ditch effort to persuade Mr Mugabe to cancel the election run-off, and to persuade both sides to begin negotiations on a government of national unity. | The BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, says this is possibly a last ditch effort to persuade Mr Mugabe to cancel the election run-off, and to persuade both sides to begin negotiations on a government of national unity. |
It is widely accepted that in the present circumstances, with serious political violence, the election will not resolve Zimbabwe's problems, our correspondent adds. | It is widely accepted that in the present circumstances, with serious political violence, the election will not resolve Zimbabwe's problems, our correspondent adds. |
The MDC says its members have been beaten, and its supporters evicted from their homes, forcing it to campaign in near secrecy. | The MDC says its members have been beaten, and its supporters evicted from their homes, forcing it to campaign in near secrecy. |
The party's secretary general, Tendai Biti, is under arrest charged with treason. | The party's secretary general, Tendai Biti, is under arrest charged with treason. |
Mr Mugabe has accused the MDC of acting in the interest of Britain, the former colonial power, and other Western countries. | Mr Mugabe has accused the MDC of acting in the interest of Britain, the former colonial power, and other Western countries. |
Zimbabwe's other immediate neighbours have also added their voices to increasing international concern over the validity of the run-off. | Zimbabwe's other immediate neighbours have also added their voices to increasing international concern over the validity of the run-off. |
Are you in Zimbabwe? Tell us what is happening where you are using the form below or by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 - and let us know if you do not want your full name to be published. | Are you in Zimbabwe? Tell us what is happening where you are using the form below or by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 - and let us know if you do not want your full name to be published. |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |