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UN calls for Zimbabwe poll delay UN calls for Zimbabwe poll delay
(2 days later)
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said Zimbabwe's presidential run-off poll should be postponed following the withdrawal of the opposition candidate.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said Zimbabwe's presidential run-off poll should be postponed following the withdrawal of the opposition candidate.
Mr Ban said Morgan Tsvangirai's decision was understandable, and condemned what he called a government campaign of violence and intimidation.Mr Ban said Morgan Tsvangirai's decision was understandable, and condemned what he called a government campaign of violence and intimidation.
Later, the UN Security Council declared that it would be "impossible" to hold free and fair elections.Later, the UN Security Council declared that it would be "impossible" to hold free and fair elections.
Zimbabwe election officials had said Friday's second round would go ahead.Zimbabwe election officials had said Friday's second round would go ahead.
Mr Tsvangirai has taken refuge in the Dutch embassy in the capital Harare.Mr Tsvangirai has taken refuge in the Dutch embassy in the capital Harare.
A Dutch foreign ministry spokesman said Mr Tsvangirai feared for his safety, but had not requested asylum.A Dutch foreign ministry spokesman said Mr Tsvangirai feared for his safety, but had not requested asylum.
Zimbabwe's head of police, however, said Mr Tsvangirai was not in any danger.Zimbabwe's head of police, however, said Mr Tsvangirai was not in any danger.
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.
'Too much violence''Too much violence'
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a statement condemning the violence and saying that free and fair elections would be impossible to hold on 27 June.The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a statement condemning the violence and saying that free and fair elections would be impossible to hold on 27 June.
UN chief says he is "distressed" by the situation in ZimbabweUN chief says he is "distressed" by the situation in Zimbabwe
The non-binding statement is much watered down from a draft version circulated by Western countries on the council. But for the first time, Zimbabwe is criticised by South Africa, Russia and China.The non-binding statement is much watered down from a draft version circulated by Western countries on the council. But for the first time, Zimbabwe is criticised by South Africa, Russia and China.
Earlier, Mr Ban said that if the run-off took place as scheduled, it would only "deepen divisions within the country and produce a result that cannot be credible".Earlier, Mr Ban said that if the run-off took place as scheduled, it would only "deepen divisions within the country and produce a result that cannot be credible".
He said: "Conditions do not exist for free and fair elections right now in Zimbabwe. "There has been too much violence, too much intimidation."He said: "Conditions do not exist for free and fair elections right now in Zimbabwe. "There has been too much violence, too much intimidation."
He said the world had witnessed "fear, hostility and blatant attacks" against Zimbabwe's people.He said the world had witnessed "fear, hostility and blatant attacks" against Zimbabwe's people.
Mr Mugabe and his Zanu-PF blame the opposition for the election violenceMr Mugabe and his Zanu-PF blame the opposition for the election violence
After discussing the issues with a number of African leaders, he said he strongly advised President Robert Mugabe's leadership to postpone the election until the right conditions were in place for people to vote freely and fairly.After discussing the issues with a number of African leaders, he said he strongly advised President Robert Mugabe's leadership to postpone the election until the right conditions were in place for people to vote freely and fairly.
Mr Ban added that what happened in Zimbabwe had significance beyond its borders and was the "single greatest challenge to regional stability".Mr Ban added that what happened in Zimbabwe had significance beyond its borders and was the "single greatest challenge to regional stability".
The MDC won the parliamentary vote in March, and claims to have won the first round of the presidential contest outright. According to official results, Mr Tsvangirai led but failed to gain enough votes to avoid a run-off.The MDC won the parliamentary vote in March, and claims to have won the first round of the presidential contest outright. According to official results, Mr Tsvangirai led but failed to gain enough votes to avoid a run-off.
'Next step''Next step'
The BBC's John Simpson in Harare says few people in Zimbabwe even know that Mr Tsvangirai has withdrawn from the race, because the country's official media mention him and the MDC as little as possible.The BBC's John Simpson in Harare says few people in Zimbabwe even know that Mr Tsvangirai has withdrawn from the race, because the country's official media mention him and the MDC as little as possible.
He adds that it is clear that on Friday, Mr Mugabe will be elected, by however large or small a majority, as the next president of Zimbabwe.He adds that it is clear that on Friday, Mr Mugabe will be elected, by however large or small a majority, as the next president of Zimbabwe.

ZIMBABWE AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

ZIMBABWE AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

Zimbabwe's opposition is hoping neighbouring countries will put pressure on President Robert Mugabe to step down. In the past they supported him. How are relations now? Zimbabwe's opposition wants neighbouring countries to persuadeRobert Mugabe to step down. So how are relations changing?
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki is the key Zimbabwe mediator. He has refused to criticise Robert Mugabe but the ruling ANC and trade unions have urged him to take a stronger line. South Africa's Thabo Mbeki is the key mediator. He has not criticisedRobert Mugabe, despite pressure from the ruling ANC.
Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. He says Zimbabwe is a regional "embarrassment". Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has taken the toughest line. He'scalled Zimbabwe a "regional embarrassment".
Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is one of Robert Mugabe's closest allies - they fought colonialism together in the 1970s. He has urged Mr Mugabe to stop the violence. Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is one of Robert Mugabe's closest allies. He has urged Mr Mugabe to end the violence.
Botswana has summoned a Zimbabwean envoy to complain about the political violence. It has been supportive of Zimbabwe's opposition. Botswana has summoned a Zimbabwean envoy to complain about theviolence. It has supported Zimbabwe's opposition.
Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it, too, is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers. It has not criticised the election violence. Namibia is an ally of Robert Mugabe. It wants to re-distribute white-owned farms to black villagers. It has not criticised the violence.
Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced from Zimbabwe and is seen as relatively sympathetic to Zimbabwe's opposition. Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced out of Zimbabwe when their land was seized. It is seen as sympathetic to the opposition.
Tanzania's ruling party has a long history of close ties to Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and its foreign minister has condemned the violence. Tanzania's ruling party has a history of backing Robert Mugabe'sZanu-PF party. Its foreign minister has condemned the violence.
DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe, who sent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels. DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe whosent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.
Malawi is seen as neutral. But some 3m people of Malawian origin are in Zimbabwe, mostly farmworkers who have lost their jobs and were often assaulted during farm invasions. Malawi is seen as neutral. But 3m people from Malawi are in Zimbabweand many were badly hit by the farm invasions.
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South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has been leading efforts by Zimbabwe's neighbours in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to mediate an end to the crisis.South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has been leading efforts by Zimbabwe's neighbours in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to mediate an end to the crisis.
Mr Mbeki is reported to be trying to arrange a meeting between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai for talks on cancelling the election run-off and forming a government of national unity.Mr Mbeki is reported to be trying to arrange a meeting between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai for talks on cancelling the election run-off and forming a government of national unity.
Mr Tsvangirai says pressure from the UN and Sadc could force Mr Mugabe to give up power.Mr Tsvangirai says pressure from the UN and Sadc could force Mr Mugabe to give up power.
"My assessment is that if there is a collective position by all Sadc leaders, that would be sufficient pressure - that voice is essential," he told US National Public Radio."My assessment is that if there is a collective position by all Sadc leaders, that would be sufficient pressure - that voice is essential," he told US National Public Radio.
President Mugabe and Zanu-PF blame the opposition for political violence across the country.President Mugabe and Zanu-PF blame the opposition for political violence across the country.