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Tsvangirai seeks embassy refuge | Tsvangirai seeks embassy refuge |
(30 minutes later) | |
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has taken refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare. | |
A Dutch foreign ministry spokesman said Mr Tsvangirai had spent the night at the embassy as he feared for his safety but had not requested asylum. | |
On Sunday, he announced he was withdrawing from the 27 June presidential elections in the face of violence from ruling party militias. | |
Zimbabwean officials have said a run-off election will still go ahead. | Zimbabwean officials have said a run-off election will still go ahead. |
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said Mr Tsvangirai's withdrawal announcement was a ruse as he had not sent a formal notice yet. | |
Considering future | |
The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says Mr Tsvangirai is now considering his next move, but he remains in the Dutch compound. | |
Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen said that if Mr Tsvangirai was looking for safety at the diplomatic mission, he was welcome. | |
Mr Tsvangirai blames supporters of President Robert Mugabe and the ruling Zanu-PF party for the death of 86 of his supporters. | |
On Monday, more than 60 supporters of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party were arrested at its Harare headquarters. | On Monday, more than 60 supporters of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party were arrested at its Harare headquarters. |
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said those arrested were women and children who had fled political violence. |