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Version 3 | Version 4 |
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UK 'will stand with Zimbabweans' | UK 'will stand with Zimbabweans' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said the UK "stands with" the people of Zimbabwe as it awaits the results of its recent elections. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said the UK "stands with" the people of Zimbabwe as it awaits the results of its recent elections. |
He told MPs the country had the "opportunity" of a "democratic future". | He told MPs the country had the "opportunity" of a "democratic future". |
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has claimed victory in Saturday's poll but results have not been published. | The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has claimed victory in Saturday's poll but results have not been published. |
Mr Miliband said the delay had been a "calculated tactic" by President Robert Mugabe's regime. | Mr Miliband said the delay had been a "calculated tactic" by President Robert Mugabe's regime. |
He added that the "playing field" had been "tilted heavily" in favour of Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party. | He added that the "playing field" had been "tilted heavily" in favour of Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party. |
'Duty to announce' | 'Duty to announce' |
Mr Miliband also said conditions for free and fair elections must be in place if a second round of voting is called. | Mr Miliband also said conditions for free and fair elections must be in place if a second round of voting is called. |
He told MPs: "Last Saturday the people of Zimbabwe made their choice. | He told MPs: "Last Saturday the people of Zimbabwe made their choice. |
"Outside the 9,400 polling stations, the tallies have been posted. The Zimbabwean Electoral Commission knows what those results are, and has a duty to announce them. | "Outside the 9,400 polling stations, the tallies have been posted. The Zimbabwean Electoral Commission knows what those results are, and has a duty to announce them. |
"The delay in announcing the outcome can only be seen as a deliberate and calculated tactic. | "The delay in announcing the outcome can only be seen as a deliberate and calculated tactic. |
"It gives substance to the suspicion that the authorities are reluctant to accept the will of the people." | "It gives substance to the suspicion that the authorities are reluctant to accept the will of the people." |
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said years of "brutality and repression" in Zimbabwe had made it a "political pressure-cooker". | Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said years of "brutality and repression" in Zimbabwe had made it a "political pressure-cooker". |
'Cling on' | |
It would "no doubt take more than his [Mr Mugabe's] departure for the country to recover" from years of corruption and economic decline, he said. | |
Ed Davey, the Lib Dems foreign affairs spokesman, urged Mr Miliband to tighten and strengthen sanctions on Zimbabwe if the Mugabe regime attempted to "cling on to power in the case of a confirmed democratic verdict". | |
He also said help should be given to Zimbabwe's neighbours who had sheltered millions of refugees and exiles. | |
Former work and pensions secretary Peter Hain said it was "clear" Mr Mugabe had lost the election. | |
Earlier, Commons leader Harriet Harman, standing in for Gordon Brown at prime minister's questions, said MPs felt "concern and solidarity for the people of Zimbabwe and that they should have their democratic election respected and recognised". | Earlier, Commons leader Harriet Harman, standing in for Gordon Brown at prime minister's questions, said MPs felt "concern and solidarity for the people of Zimbabwe and that they should have their democratic election respected and recognised". |
Ms Harman added that the UK was Zimbabwe's biggest donor and would be "ready to step up that support" together with the international community. | Ms Harman added that the UK was Zimbabwe's biggest donor and would be "ready to step up that support" together with the international community. |
On Monday the prime minister said the "eyes of the world" were on the country and that the results of Saturday's poll should be published. | |
Mr Brown is attending a Nato summit in Romania. |