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Zimbabwe opposition chiefs 'held' Zimbabwe opposition chiefs held
(20 minutes later)
Senior Zimbabwean opposition activists have been detained in Harare as they attempted to hold a prayer rally, opposition officials say. Several Zimbabwean opposition leaders have been detained as they attempted to hold a rally in Harare, opposition officials have said.
Police fought running battles with opposition supporters and used tear gas and water cannons against them, one official told the BBC. They include Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change.
Earlier, police took up position on main roads to seal off a stadium where the meeting was due to be held. Police sealed off roads and fought running battles with opposition supporters, using tear gas and water cannons against them, an official said.
The government said it would violate a ban on political gatherings. The government said the planned prayer meeting would violate a ban on political gatherings.
Opposition activists with the Save Zimbabwe Campaign - a coalition of church, human rights and political groups - had planned to go ahead with the meeting despite the ban. Opposition activists from the Save Zimbabwe Campaign - a coalition of church, human rights and political groups - had vowed to go ahead with the meeting in the Highfields township.
The ban was imposed last month after violence at an opposition rally. MDC officials told the BBC that Mr Tsvangirai was being held along with five other members of the top party leadership at Highfields police station.
On 18 February police used tear-gas and water cannons to block a rally by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), despite a High Court ruling that it could go ahead. The three-month ban was imposed after violence at an opposition rally last month.
On 18 February police used tear-gas and water cannons to block an MDC rally despite a High Court ruling that it could go ahead.
Civil discontent is rising over Zimbabwe's economic crisis, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700%.Civil discontent is rising over Zimbabwe's economic crisis, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700%.
Last month, in an interview to mark his 83rd birthday, President Robert Mugabe said that he had no intention of stepping down.Last month, in an interview to mark his 83rd birthday, President Robert Mugabe said that he had no intention of stepping down.