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Mugabe rival sets run-off terms Mugabe rival sets run-off terms
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he could take part in a presidential election run-off if certain conditions are met. Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he could take part in a presidential election run-off if certain conditions were met.
Mr Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), believes he won last month's election against President Robert Mugabe outright.Mr Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), believes he won last month's election against President Robert Mugabe outright.
But an MDC spokesman said a run-off was possible in a secure environment with thorough international monitoring.But an MDC spokesman said a run-off was possible in a secure environment with thorough international monitoring.
He said current conditions did not allow for a free and fair vote.He said current conditions did not allow for a free and fair vote.
The party would only take part if the Southern African Development Community could help oversee every stage of the count, he added.The party would only take part if the Southern African Development Community could help oversee every stage of the count, he added.
Earlier a national strike called by the MDC to demand that results from the March 29 election be published immediately, received little apparent support. Earlier, a national strike called by the MDC to demand that results from the 29 March election be published immediately received little apparent support.
Dire economy
Reports from the capital, Harare, said most banks, shops and offices opened as usual.Reports from the capital, Harare, said most banks, shops and offices opened as usual.
The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says a strike call was never likely to be heeded by many workers, such is the desperate state of Zimbabwe's economy.
Meanwhile in South Africa, the governing African National Congress has made its boldest statement so far on Zimbabwe, saying it regards the situation in the country as "dire".
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Zimbabwe's election commission says it cannot release the results of the presidential election until a partial recount is completed at the weekend.Zimbabwe's election commission says it cannot release the results of the presidential election until a partial recount is completed at the weekend.
Independent counts suggested that Mr Tsvangirai won the election but took less than 50% of the vote, meaning he would face a run-off.Independent counts suggested that Mr Tsvangirai won the election but took less than 50% of the vote, meaning he would face a run-off.
The MDC had previously said it would not take part in a run-off because it might lead to violence and the intimidation of the party's supporters around the country.
MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti told the BBC on Tuesday that two of its activists had been killed and 200 hospitalised after being assaulted by ruling party militias.
The party has said its supporters have been beaten up in rural areas where the MDC won.
On Monday, Zimbabwe's High Court dismissed an opposition petition for the results to be released immediately, saying reported anomalies should first be investigated.
In last month's elections Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF lost its parliamentary majority for the first time during his 28-year rule.
But the party could recover that majority if it is awarded just nine of the 23 seats subject to a recount.