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/7349955.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
'Arrests' after Zimbabwe strike 'Arrests' after Zimbabwe strike
(9 minutes later)
More than 50 Zimbabwean opposition supporters have been arrested after staging a strike, the party says.More than 50 Zimbabwean opposition supporters have been arrested after staging a strike, the party says.
Police have accused the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of trying to incite violence with their strike call, in protest at delayed poll results.Police have accused the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of trying to incite violence with their strike call, in protest at delayed poll results.
But a coalition of Zimbabwean doctors said its members had seen and treated more than 150 people who had been beaten and tortured since the polls.But a coalition of Zimbabwean doctors said its members had seen and treated more than 150 people who had been beaten and tortured since the polls.
The crisis is expected to be raised at a UN Security Council session. International concern has been raised at a UN Security Council session.
South African's leader Thabo Mbeki called for the special meeting, which is supposed to be about how the UN can work with the African Union to bring peace to the Africa's conflicts, from Somalia to Sudan's Darfur region. The special meeting, called by South African's leader Thabo Mbeki, was supposed to be about how the UN can work with the African Union to bring peace to the Africa's conflicts, from Somalia to Sudan's Darfur region.
But leaders have used the opportunity to address the Zimbabwe issue.
We, the neighbours are doing something about Zimbabwe, you may not agree with it but we are doing something Dumisani KhumaloSouth Africa's ambassador to the UN Strike voicesDeaf to the WestSA views on Zimbabwe 'crisis'Send us your commentsWe, the neighbours are doing something about Zimbabwe, you may not agree with it but we are doing something Dumisani KhumaloSouth Africa's ambassador to the UN Strike voicesDeaf to the WestSA views on Zimbabwe 'crisis'Send us your comments
Zimbabwe is not officially on the agenda. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the absence of a transparent solution to the impasse, the "situation could deteriorate further, with the serious implications for the people of Zimbabwe".
The BBC's Laura Trevelyan at the UN says the UK's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, along with officials and ministers from the US and France, are expected to raise the continuing stalemate in Zimbabwe - in public and in behind-the-scenes meetings. "The international community continues to watch and wait for decisive action," he said.
Mr Brown is expected to meet Mr Mbeki privately on Wednesday. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown added: "No-one thinks - having seen the results at polling stations - that President Mugabe has won this election.
"A stolen election would not be a democratic election at all," he said. "The credibility of the democratic process depends on there being a legitimate government."
Mr Brown, and other Western officials, are expected to meet Mr Mbeki privately.
Meanwhile, a Zimbabwean judge has cleared New York Times correspondent Barry Bearak and a British national of charges of reporting on the 29 March election without proper accreditation.Meanwhile, a Zimbabwean judge has cleared New York Times correspondent Barry Bearak and a British national of charges of reporting on the 29 March election without proper accreditation.
Magistrate Gloria Takundwa said the state failed to prove "reasonable suspicion of them practising as journalists".Magistrate Gloria Takundwa said the state failed to prove "reasonable suspicion of them practising as journalists".
AgendaAgenda
The MDC's spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the more than 50 arrests were countrywide - relating to minor skirmishes in townships around the capital, Harare and Bulawayo.The MDC's spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the more than 50 arrests were countrywide - relating to minor skirmishes in townships around the capital, Harare and Bulawayo.
South Africa's president is coming under pressure from politicians and protesters to use his influenceSouth Africa's president is coming under pressure from politicians and protesters to use his influence
The news agency says one of those arrested is Chitungwiza MP Marvelous Khumalo.The news agency says one of those arrested is Chitungwiza MP Marvelous Khumalo.
Zimbabwean police reported arresting 30 MDC supporters for obstruction and intimidation.Zimbabwean police reported arresting 30 MDC supporters for obstruction and intimidation.
Those arrested were found either "barricading roads and stopping people from going to work", "obstructing the free movement of traffic" or intimidating people who went to work, police said.Those arrested were found either "barricading roads and stopping people from going to work", "obstructing the free movement of traffic" or intimidating people who went to work, police said.
The MDC's national executive is meeting to decide whether to continue with further strike action. The party had wanted people to stay at home until the presidential election results were released.The MDC's national executive is meeting to decide whether to continue with further strike action. The party had wanted people to stay at home until the presidential election results were released.
But local journalist Brian Hungwe in Harare says most banks, shops and offices opened as usual and armed police and soldiers were on patrol.But local journalist Brian Hungwe in Harare says most banks, shops and offices opened as usual and armed police and soldiers were on patrol.
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.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 independent Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR), in a separate statement, said its members had treated 157 people between the elections and 14 April who had injuries that clearly resulted from organised violence and torture.The independent Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR), in a separate statement, said its members had treated 157 people between the elections and 14 April who had injuries that clearly resulted from organised violence and torture.
"One third of the patients are women, including a 15-year-old girl who was abducted with her mother from her home, made to lie on her front and beaten on her buttocks," they said in a statement quoted by AFP news agency."One third of the patients are women, including a 15-year-old girl who was abducted with her mother from her home, made to lie on her front and beaten on her buttocks," they said in a statement quoted by AFP news agency.
"Her mother, who is pregnant, was similarly beaten. Both mother and daughter required hospital admission.""Her mother, who is pregnant, was similarly beaten. Both mother and daughter required hospital admission."
Nine patients had broken bones, mostly in their arms or hands, the statement said, adding that some of the injured would have permanent disabilities.Nine patients had broken bones, mostly in their arms or hands, the statement said, adding that some of the injured would have permanent disabilities.
Regional influenceRegional influence
The election commission says it cannot release the results until a recount in some areas is completed at the weekend.The election commission says it cannot release the results until a recount in some areas is completed at the weekend.
The situation is more worrying now given the reported violence that has erupted in the country Jacob Zuma ANC leaderThe situation is more worrying now given the reported violence that has erupted in the country Jacob Zuma ANC leader
Independent counts suggest MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the election but took less than 50% of the vote, meaning he would face a run-off.Independent counts suggest MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the election but took less than 50% of the vote, meaning he would face a run-off.
His party says he will not contest a run-off unless there is a secure environment, with thorough international monitoring.His party says he will not contest a run-off unless there is a secure environment, with thorough international monitoring.
As the UN Security Council met, activists flew a giant banner above the UN, calling on President Mbeki to use his influence with Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe.As the UN Security Council met, activists flew a giant banner above the UN, calling on President Mbeki to use his influence with Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe.
Mr Mbeki, who is chairing Wednesday's UN session and is the appointed regional mediator for Zimbabwe, would prefer the issue to be kept out of the limelight. Mr Mbeki would prefer the issue to be kept out of the limelight, but he has come under pressure from his own party, the ANC, which is split over whether South Africa should be doing more.
But he has come under pressure from his own party, the ANC, which is split over whether South Africa should be doing more.
Breaking with President Mbeki's assurance that there is no crisis, the leader of the ANC, Jacob Zuma, said: "The region cannot afford a deepening crisis in Zimbabwe."Breaking with President Mbeki's assurance that there is no crisis, the leader of the ANC, Jacob Zuma, said: "The region cannot afford a deepening crisis in Zimbabwe."
"The situation is more worrying now given the reported violence that has erupted in the country.""The situation is more worrying now given the reported violence that has erupted in the country."
But the South African ambassador to the UN, Dumisani Khumalo, said he felt there was no need for Zimbabwe to be discussed on the UN platform.
"We, the neighbours are doing something about Zimbabwe, you may not agree with it but we are doing something," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
US ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, said it would be "very surprising" that the assembled leaders would not talk about Zimbabwe - "the most important issue, the most urgent issue on that continent".