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Zimbabwe police storm MDC office Zimbabwe police storm MDC office
(31 minutes later)
Armed riot police have raided the headquarters of Zimbabwe's main opposition party in Harare and arrested scores of activists.Armed riot police have raided the headquarters of Zimbabwe's main opposition party in Harare and arrested scores of activists.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesman Nelson Chamisa said those arrested had fled political violence.Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesman Nelson Chamisa said those arrested had fled political violence.
But the police said the raid was to look for those responsible for arson attacks east of Harare.But the police said the raid was to look for those responsible for arson attacks east of Harare.
The MDC says it won last month's presidential election, the results of which have not yet been published.The MDC says it won last month's presidential election, the results of which have not yet been published.
The ruling Zanu-PF party, however, says that there is likely to be a run-off, as no candidate gained more than 50% of the vote.The ruling Zanu-PF party, however, says that there is likely to be a run-off, as no candidate gained more than 50% of the vote.
The MDC says its activists have been attacked around the country - with at least 10 killed - since the elections. They are trying to destroy evidence of their brutality Nelson Chamisa, MDC
The MDC says its activists have been attacked around the country - with at least 10 killed - since the elections. Many have fled to Harare and other towns, seeking medical treatment.
But the police and Zanu-PF say that no-one has died in political violence.But the police and Zanu-PF say that no-one has died in political violence.
On Friday, the state-owned Herald newspaper reported that the houses of at least eight Zanu-PF activists had been burned in Mashonaland East province. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has fled Zimbabwe, fearing for his safety and is touring African countries, trying to persuade them to press President Robert Mugabe to step down.
A Reuters news agency correspondent says more than 100 MDC supporters were arrested in the raid. The MDC says Mr Tsvangirai gained 50.3% of the vote, although independent monitors say he received just below the 50% threshold.
Mr Chamisa says the police also seized computers and said the raid was "clear provocation". 'Myopic stooges'
On Friday, the state-owned Herald newspaper reported that the houses of at least eight Zanu-PF activists had been burned by MDC supporters in Mashonaland East province.
A Reuters news agency correspondent says more than 100 MDC supporters were arrested in the raid on its Harvest House offices in central Harare.

ZIMBABWE'S NEIGHBOURS

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has been under fire over March's disputed elections. His neighbours have been supportive but regional differences are now emerging.
South Africa's President Mbeki is the key Zimbabwe mediator. He has refused to criticise Robert Mugabe but the ruling ANC, and trade unions have urged him to take a stronger line.
Zambian President Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. His call for Africa not to let a ship carrying weapons to Zimbabwe dock will outrage President Mugabe.
Angola's government has close ties to Zimbabwe's ruling party - both came to power after fighting colonial rule in the 1970s.
Botswana is not seen as an ally of Robert Mugabe. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai fled here after polls.
Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it too is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers.
Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced from Zimbabwe and is seen as relatively sympathetic to Zimbabwe's opposition.
Tanzania's ruling party has a long history of close ties to Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and is unlikely to criticise him.
DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe, who sent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.
Malawi is seen as neutral. But some 3m people of Malawian origin are in Zimbabwe, mostly farmworkers who have lost their jobs and were sometimes assaulted during farm invasions.
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"They took everyone in the building, including those who had come just to seek medical care. They are trying to destroy evidence of their brutality," Mr Chamisa said.
He said the police also seized computers and documents.
Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said police were screening those detained and anyone who had not committed any crimes would be freed.
The electoral commission says it cannot release the presidential results until it completes a recount in 23 of the 210 constituencies.
Three recounts of the parliamentary results have been completed - all confirmed the original results.
President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party lost control of parliament for the first time since independence in 1980.
But if many of the results are overturned in the recount, this could change.
Meanwhile, the Herald newspaper has condemned Zimbabwe's neighbours as "myopic stooges" for refusing to let a cargo of Chinese weapons cross their territory to landlocked Zimbabwe.
"Zimbabwe is... under attack from the former coloniser and its allies. As such, Zimbabwe probably needs to arm itself more than any other country in Africa today for the simple reason that it has been targeted for destabilisation by the traditional Western rabble rousers," the Herald said.
China's foreign ministry says the ship will now return as it cannot deliver its cargo to Zimbabwe.
But the state-owned shipping company has not confirmed this.