This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7467990.stm
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe opposition 'to pull out' | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has decided to pull out of the presidential run-off on 27 June, party officials have told the BBC. | Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has decided to pull out of the presidential run-off on 27 June, party officials have told the BBC. |
| The decision, taken at a meeting of the leadership of the Movement for Democratic Change in Harare, means Robert Mugabe will remain as president. | The decision, taken at a meeting of the leadership of the Movement for Democratic Change in Harare, means Robert Mugabe will remain as president. |
| The MDC says the decision comes after at least 70 of its supporters have been killed in the run-up to the poll. | The MDC says the decision comes after at least 70 of its supporters have been killed in the run-up to the poll. |
| President Robert Mugabe says the opposition is behind the violence. | President Robert Mugabe says the opposition is behind the violence. |
| On Sunday, the opposition was due to stage a rally in the capital - the highlight of the campaign. | On Sunday, the opposition was due to stage a rally in the capital - the highlight of the campaign. |
| Mugabe will remain unopposed to seek revenge and retribution on all who stood for democracy and change Sam, St Lucia class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4975&edition=2&ttl=20080622135550">MDC pull-out: Have your say | |
| But supporters of Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF occupied the stadium venue and roads leading up to it. | |
| Witnesses reported seeing hundreds of youths around the venue wielding sticks, some chanting slogans, and others circling the stadium crammed onto the backs of trucks. | |
| They reportedly set upon opposition activists, leaving a number badly injured. | |
| The MDC said African election monitors were also chased away from the rally site. | |
| Unity government? | Unity government? |
| The MDC says Morgan Tsvangirai won the presidential election outright during the first round in March. | The MDC says Morgan Tsvangirai won the presidential election outright during the first round in March. |
| The government admits he won more votes than President Mugabe, but says he did not take enough to win outright. | The government admits he won more votes than President Mugabe, but says he did not take enough to win outright. |
| Mr Mugabe has said he will never accept a Zimbabwe run by the MDC. Robert Mugabe has said only God will remove him from power | Mr Mugabe has said he will never accept a Zimbabwe run by the MDC. Robert Mugabe has said only God will remove him from power |
| 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 was possibly a last 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 was possibly a last 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? Do you agree with the MDC's decision? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you in Zimbabwe? Do you agree with the MDC's decision? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |