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/7502965.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Zimbabwe sanctions vetoed at UN Zimbabwe sanctions vetoed at UN
(10 minutes later)
A draft resolution to impose sanctions on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and a number of his key allies has been vetoed at the UN Security Council.A draft resolution to impose sanctions on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and a number of his key allies has been vetoed at the UN Security Council.
China and Russia both rejected the proposed measures, including a freeze on their financial assets and travel.China and Russia both rejected the proposed measures, including a freeze on their financial assets and travel.
There has been growing international criticism of Zimbabwe since the re-election of Mr Mugabe in a run-off boycotted by the opposition.There has been growing international criticism of Zimbabwe since the re-election of Mr Mugabe in a run-off boycotted by the opposition.
Several council members had previously expressed reservations about sanctions.Several council members had previously expressed reservations about sanctions.
The South African ambassador to the UN had earlier argued against sanctions.The South African ambassador to the UN had earlier argued against sanctions.
A BBC correspondent at the UN says the failure of the resolution will be a major blow for the United States and Britain.A BBC correspondent at the UN says the failure of the resolution will be a major blow for the United States and Britain.
The UK ambassador said after the vote that the UN had failed in its duty.The UK ambassador said after the vote that the UN had failed in its duty.
The resolution would have imposed an arms embargo on Zimbabwe and financial and travel restrictions on President Mugabe and 13 of his top officials.The resolution would have imposed an arms embargo on Zimbabwe and financial and travel restrictions on President Mugabe and 13 of his top officials.
It also called for a UN special envoy for Zimbabwe to be appointed.It also called for a UN special envoy for Zimbabwe to be appointed.
Leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change Morgan Tsvangirai won the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential elections on 29 March, but official results gave him less than the 50% share needed to avoid a run-off.
He pulled out of the run-off poll after many of his supporters were targeted, assaulted and even killed, leaving Mr Mugabe to win unopposed in the second round at the end of June.
Since March, the opposition says 113 of its supporters have been killed, some 5,000 are missing and more than 200,000 have been forced from their homes.