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/6439013.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Zimbabwe opposition chiefs held Zimbabwe opposition chiefs held
(10 minutes later)
The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change in Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, has been arrested along with several colleagues.The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change in Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, has been arrested along with several colleagues.
They were detained as they tried to hold a prayer meeting in Harare.They were detained as they tried to hold a prayer meeting in Harare.
Police sealed off roads and fought running battles with opposition supporters, using tear gas and water cannons against them, activists said.Police sealed off roads and fought running battles with opposition supporters, using tear gas and water cannons against them, activists said.
The opposition had vowed to hold the rally which the government said broke a ban on political gatherings.The opposition had vowed to hold the rally which the government said broke a ban on political gatherings.
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.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.
The rally was called by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign - a coalition of church, human rights and political groups.The rally was called by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign - a coalition of church, human rights and political groups.
A spokesman for the MDC, Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, said the protesters were not doing anything wrong.
"It was not a political rally, therefore it was not subject to the provisions of the public order and security act, and there was no permission required to be obtained from the police," he told the BBC.
"But the police went ahead and arrested a broad cross section of leaders of civic organisations, political parties, labour and students."
The three-month ban on political meetings was imposed after violence at an opposition rally last month.The three-month ban on political meetings 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.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.