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/6457329.stm

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

Version 4 Version 5
Tsvangirai leaves Harare hospital Tsvangirai leaves Harare hospital
(about 3 hours later)
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has left hospital in a wheelchair after allegedly being beaten in police custody on Sunday.Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has left hospital in a wheelchair after allegedly being beaten in police custody on Sunday.
He is expected to speak to journalists within the next few hours. He told the BBC that the government had miscalculated, as it was seen more than ever as a "rogue regime".
In the UK, Foreign Office minister Lord David Triesman told the BBC Zimbabwe's government had committed "actions... bordering on crimes against humanity".In the UK, Foreign Office minister Lord David Triesman told the BBC Zimbabwe's government had committed "actions... bordering on crimes against humanity".
President Robert Mugabe has said Western critics should "go hang" and blamed the violence on the opposition. Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe has said Western critics should "go hang".
Lord Triesman pointed to the government's suppression of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and the eviction of hundreds of thousands of people from urban areas in 2005. He blamed the violence on Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
The two MDC factions have meanwhile announced that they will now work together.
When they criticise the government when it tries to prevent violence and punish perpetrators of that violence we take the position that they can go hang President Robert Mugabe Bloggers turn up heat UK pressure on Zimbabwe Send us your comments Their 2005 split is widely believed to have greatly weakened their struggle against Mr Mugabe.
The two MDC leaders shared the platform for the first time at Sunday's rally and both men were subsequently arrested and allegedly assaulted.
"We let down Zimbabweans in 2006 by bickering and name-calling among ourselves," said Tendai Biti, a close ally of Mr Tsvangirai.
Mr Tsvangirai strongly denied being involved in any violence and urged Africa and especially South Africa to increase pressure on President Mugabe.
'Deliberate act'
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has said she holds Mr Mugabe personally responsible for Mr Tsvangirai's injuries.
"He is in charge of the government, he's made it very clear that this is a deliberate act of policy on behalf of the government of Zimbabwe, he is indifferent I think to the real horror that's felt right across the international community," she told the BBC's Politics Show.
TSVANGIRAI'S LEGAL TROUBLES 2003: Charged with treason - later dropped2002: Lost election to Mugabe, charged with treason - later dropped2000: Charged with treason - later dropped2000: MDC won 57 parliamentary seats1999: Helped form MDC Protests in pictures
Lord Triesman pointed to the government's suppression of the MDC and the eviction of hundreds of thousands of people from urban areas in 2005 as possible crimes against humanity.
He dismissed calls for military intervention in Zimbabwe but supported calls for those responsible for assaulting Mr Tsvangirai and some 50 other MDC activists to be identified and added to the list of those subject to an EU travel ban and assets freeze.He dismissed calls for military intervention in Zimbabwe but supported calls for those responsible for assaulting Mr Tsvangirai and some 50 other MDC activists to be identified and added to the list of those subject to an EU travel ban and assets freeze.
When they criticise the government when it tries to prevent violence and punish perpetrators of that violence we take the position that they can go hang President Robert Mugabe class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6456027.stm">Bloggers turn up heat class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6458249.stm">UK pressure on Zimbabwe class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5740&edition=2&ttl=20070312114528">Send us your comments The US says it is also considering extending its sanctions on Zimbabwean officials. The US says it is also considering extending its sanctions on Zimbabwean officials.
Mr Tsvangirai was arrested together with colleagues after police broke up a banned rally on Sunday. He appeared in court two days later with a badly bruised face and stitches in a head wound.Mr Tsvangirai was arrested together with colleagues after police broke up a banned rally on Sunday. He appeared in court two days later with a badly bruised face and stitches in a head wound.
However, doctors deny reports that he suffered a fractured skull and say he has suffered no permanent brain or scalp damage.However, doctors deny reports that he suffered a fractured skull and say he has suffered no permanent brain or scalp damage.
His spokesman, William Bango, said Mr Tsvangirai was still in pain.His spokesman, William Bango, said Mr Tsvangirai was still in pain.
Four other MDC officials remain in hospital.Four other MDC officials remain in hospital.
Diplomatic initiative Speaking after a meeting with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete on Thursday, Mr Mugabe said there had been no Western criticism of the MDC, which he said had instigated the violence.
Speaking after a meeting with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Mr Mugabe said there had been no Western criticism of the MDC, which he said had instigated the violence.
TSVANGIRAI'S LEGAL TROUBLES 2003: Charged with treason - later dropped2002: Lost election to Mugabe, charged with treason - later dropped2000: Charged with treason - later dropped2000: MDC won 57 parliamentary seats1999: Helped form MDC Protests in pictures
"When they criticise the government when it tries to prevent violence and punish perpetrators of that violence we take the position that they can go hang," he said."When they criticise the government when it tries to prevent violence and punish perpetrators of that violence we take the position that they can go hang," he said.
On Thursday, police blamed the MDC for what they said was a firebomb attack on a Harare police station which left two policewomen in hospital with serious facial injuries.
A police spokesman blamed the attack on the "armed wing" of the MDC.
He said the violence would be met by "necessary force to ensure peace and stability is maintained".
Mr Kikwete, who has a reputation as a peacemaker, flew to Harare on Thursday for an unscheduled visit.
Tanzania, traditionally a close ally of Mr Mugabe, has been appointed along with Namibia and Lesotho by the regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community, to seek an end to the political crisis in Zimbabwe.
But Mr Kikwete gave few details of the talks, saying that "we agreed on the way forward on a number of issues".
More than 80% of Zimbabweans are living in poverty, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.More than 80% of Zimbabweans are living in poverty, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.