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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Brown: World is watching Zimbabwe | Brown: World is watching Zimbabwe |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the "eyes of the world" are on Zimbabwe and said that its election results should be published without delay. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the "eyes of the world" are on Zimbabwe and said that its election results should be published without delay. |
| He said it was also important that the elections were "seen to be fair". | He said it was also important that the elections were "seen to be fair". |
| Official results show seats are split between the ruling Zanu-PF party and the Movement for Democratic Change, who say the results are being rigged. | Official results show seats are split between the ruling Zanu-PF party and the Movement for Democratic Change, who say the results are being rigged. |
| Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg urged the PM to increase pressure for a "swift and transparent" declaration of results. | Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg urged the PM to increase pressure for a "swift and transparent" declaration of results. |
| Downing Street said Mr Brown had discussed the situation with South African President Thabo Mbeki on Monday, but would not give details of the talks. | Downing Street said Mr Brown had discussed the situation with South African President Thabo Mbeki on Monday, but would not give details of the talks. |
| Seats split | |
| MDC official Tendai Biti has told the BBC that results from Saturday's general election have started to trickle in - 36 hours after the polls closed - but he claimed they were being rigged. | MDC official Tendai Biti has told the BBC that results from Saturday's general election have started to trickle in - 36 hours after the polls closed - but he claimed they were being rigged. |
| Bright Matonga, from the ruling Zanu-PF party, told the BBC he was confident that Mr Mugabe would be re-elected and Zanu-PF would retain its majority in parliament. | Bright Matonga, from the ruling Zanu-PF party, told the BBC he was confident that Mr Mugabe would be re-elected and Zanu-PF would retain its majority in parliament. |
| The eyes of the world will be on Zimbabwe today and tomorrow Gordon Brown | |
| The MDC says its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai has won 60% of the vote, against 30% for Robert Mugabe. | The MDC says its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai has won 60% of the vote, against 30% for Robert Mugabe. |
| Official results suggest both sides have 26 parliamentary seats each so far. Mr Mugabe has denied repeated MDC claims that he would rig the polls. | |
| Mr Brown said: "The eyes of the world will be on Zimbabwe today and tomorrow and I think two things are very important. | Mr Brown said: "The eyes of the world will be on Zimbabwe today and tomorrow and I think two things are very important. |
| "First of all that the election results appear and appear quickly so that people know what's happening on the ground and nothing is delayed. And secondly that the elections are seen to be fair." | "First of all that the election results appear and appear quickly so that people know what's happening on the ground and nothing is delayed. And secondly that the elections are seen to be fair." |
| 'Kenyan-style stand-off' | |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband said millions had turned out to vote at the weekend and "their voice must now be heard". | Foreign Secretary David Miliband said millions had turned out to vote at the weekend and "their voice must now be heard". |
| "The next few days are critical for the future of Zimbabwe," he said. | "The next few days are critical for the future of Zimbabwe," he said. |
| "It is vital that this election should chart a course for Zimbabwe chosen by the people of Zimbabwe." | "It is vital that this election should chart a course for Zimbabwe chosen by the people of Zimbabwe." |
| Mr Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's problems on a Western plot | |
| Mr Clegg, whose party is the third biggest in the UK, said: "There is a very real threat of a Kenyan-style stand-off between the opposition and Mugabe's regime which is potentially even more dangerous, given the fragility of the Zimbabwean state. | Mr Clegg, whose party is the third biggest in the UK, said: "There is a very real threat of a Kenyan-style stand-off between the opposition and Mugabe's regime which is potentially even more dangerous, given the fragility of the Zimbabwean state. |
| "Gordon Brown must seek urgent discussions with Thabo Mbeki and other leaders of the South African Development Community to ensure that maximum pressure is applied to ensure a swift and transparent declaration of results." | "Gordon Brown must seek urgent discussions with Thabo Mbeki and other leaders of the South African Development Community to ensure that maximum pressure is applied to ensure a swift and transparent declaration of results." |
| Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the BBC Britain could not pretend it had the answer - as so much depended on Zimbabwe's neighbours - South Africa in particular. | |
| But he added: "I think if he [Mugabe] declares victory on the basis of a rigged result and from everything we can see that would be the only basis on which he could achieve a victory - we do need then an intensification of the international pressure on Zimbabwe, on the Mugabe regime." | |
| BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall said Mr Brown's words had been carefully chosen, as Britain - the former colonial master - was always worried about being accused of meddling. | |
| The prime minister's spokesman has hinted at possible increases in aid for Zimbabwe, but if the election is deemed to be stolen, officials admit there is very little Western governments can do about it, she added. | |
| Instead it is likely they will look to other African countries to mediate or use leverage to try to manage or salvage the situation. |