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/7472284.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mugabe defiant as criticism grows Mugabe defiant as criticism grows
(about 5 hours later)
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has vowed to press ahead with Friday's run-off presidential election despite growing international condemnation.Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has vowed to press ahead with Friday's run-off presidential election despite growing international condemnation.
Speaking to supporters, he said London and Washington could "shout as loud as they like" but the vote would be held.Speaking to supporters, he said London and Washington could "shout as loud as they like" but the vote would be held.
South Africa's governing ANC party has accused his government of "riding roughshod" over democracy, while the UN has said a fair poll is "impossible".South Africa's governing ANC party has accused his government of "riding roughshod" over democracy, while the UN has said a fair poll is "impossible".
Zimbabwe's opposition has withdrawn from the poll amid mounting violence.Zimbabwe's opposition has withdrawn from the poll amid mounting violence.
The Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) regional bloc is due to hold an emergency summit on Wednesday on Zimbabwe's political crisis, reports said.The Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) regional bloc is due to hold an emergency summit on Wednesday on Zimbabwe's political crisis, reports said.
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, said it had confirmed in writing on Tuesday its withdrawal from the presidential race.Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, said it had confirmed in writing on Tuesday its withdrawal from the presidential race.
The MDC says some 86 supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by Zanu-PF militias. The ruling Zanu-PF party blames the MDC for the violence.The MDC says some 86 supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by Zanu-PF militias. The ruling Zanu-PF party blames the MDC for the violence.
'Compelling evidence''Compelling evidence'
Speaking at a rally in the town of Banket, Mr Mugabe said: "They can shout as loud as they like from Washington or from London or from any other quarter. Our people, our people, only our people will decide and nobody else."Speaking at a rally in the town of Banket, Mr Mugabe said: "They can shout as loud as they like from Washington or from London or from any other quarter. Our people, our people, only our people will decide and nobody else."
We are deeply dismayed by the actions of the government of Zimbabwe which is riding roughshod over the hard-won democratic rights of the people of that country African National Congress statement Mugabe's remarkable comeback Zimbabwe awaits day of reckoningFull text: MDC withdrawal letterWe are deeply dismayed by the actions of the government of Zimbabwe which is riding roughshod over the hard-won democratic rights of the people of that country African National Congress statement Mugabe's remarkable comeback Zimbabwe awaits day of reckoningFull text: MDC withdrawal letter
He accused Mr Tsvangirai of pulling out of the election because he became frightened of losing when he saw "a political hurricane coming his way".He accused Mr Tsvangirai of pulling out of the election because he became frightened of losing when he saw "a political hurricane coming his way".
The US Ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, said the UN Security Council would consider further steps against Zimbabwe if Harare ignored its concerns, but did not specify what the steps might be.
The UN Security Council on Monday unanimously agreed to condemn the violence in Zimbabwe and said a free and fair run-off election would be "impossible".The UN Security Council on Monday unanimously agreed to condemn the violence in Zimbabwe and said a free and fair run-off election would be "impossible".
Tuesday saw a senior US state department official said Washington would not recognise the result of the vote because the opposition had been violently forced out of the running.
"People were being beaten and losing their lives just to exercise their right to vote for their leadership so we cannot, under these conditions, recognise the outcome if, in fact, this run-off goes forward," Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer told the BBC.
South Africa's governing ANC party added its voice to growing international criticism of Mr Mugabe's government on Tuesday.South Africa's governing ANC party added its voice to growing international criticism of Mr Mugabe's government on Tuesday.
It was "deeply dismayed by the actions of the Zimbabwean government - which is riding roughshod over hard-won democratic rights", the party said.It was "deeply dismayed by the actions of the Zimbabwean government - which is riding roughshod over hard-won democratic rights", the party said.
It referred to "compelling evidence of violence, intimidation and outright terror".It referred to "compelling evidence of violence, intimidation and outright terror".
Cricket body to mull Zimbabwe banBloggers regret Tsvangirai pull-outNew media evades censorsCricket body to mull Zimbabwe banBloggers regret Tsvangirai pull-outNew media evades censors
The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says that coming from South Africa - the most powerful country in the region - the ANC statement is a further sign of Mr Mugabe's growing isolation.The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says that coming from South Africa - the most powerful country in the region - the ANC statement is a further sign of Mr Mugabe's growing isolation.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has been adopting a policy of "quiet diplomacy" towards Zimbabwe.South African President Thabo Mbeki has been adopting a policy of "quiet diplomacy" towards Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, Mr Tsvangirai said he might leave the Dutch embassy in Harare on Tuesday or Wednesday.Meanwhile, Mr Tsvangirai said he might leave the Dutch embassy in Harare on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Mr Tsvangirai, who took refuge there on Sunday night, hours after pulling out of this Friday's vote, said the Dutch ambassador had received assurances from the Zimbabwean authorities about his safety.Mr Tsvangirai, who took refuge there on Sunday night, hours after pulling out of this Friday's vote, said the Dutch ambassador had received assurances from the Zimbabwean authorities about his safety.
Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, in a statement about his attempts to mediate in Zimbabwe, said Mr Tsvangirai had been fleeing soldiers when he took refuge.Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, in a statement about his attempts to mediate in Zimbabwe, said Mr Tsvangirai had been fleeing soldiers when he took refuge.
In other developments on Tuesday:In other developments on Tuesday:

ZIMBABWE AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

ZIMBABWE AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

Zimbabwe's opposition is hoping neighbouring countries will put pressure on President Robert Mugabe to step down. In the past they supported him. How are relations now?Zimbabwe's opposition is hoping neighbouring countries will put pressure on President Robert Mugabe to step down. In the past they supported him. How are relations now?
South Africa's President Thabo 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.South Africa's President Thabo 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 Levy Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. He says Zimbabwe is a regional "embarrassment".Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. He says Zimbabwe is a regional "embarrassment".
Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is one of Robert Mugabe's closest allies - they fought colonialism together in the 1970s. He has urged Mr Mugabe to stop the violence.Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is one of Robert Mugabe's closest allies - they fought colonialism together in the 1970s. He has urged Mr Mugabe to stop the violence.
Botswana has summoned a Zimbabwean envoy to complain about the political violence. It has been supportive of Zimbabwe's opposition.Botswana has summoned a Zimbabwean envoy to complain about the political violence. It has been supportive of Zimbabwe's opposition.
Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it, too, is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers. It has not criticised the election violence.Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it, too, is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers. It has not criticised the election violence.
Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced from Zimbabwe and is seen as relatively sympathetic to Zimbabwe's opposition.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 its foreign minister has condemned the violence.Tanzania's ruling party has a long history of close ties to Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and its foreign minister has condemned the violence.
DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe, who sent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.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 often assaulted during farm invasions.Malawi is seen as neutral. But some 3m people of Malawian origin are in Zimbabwe, mostly farmworkers who have lost their jobs and were often assaulted during farm invasions.
BACKNEXT1 of 9BACKNEXT1 of 9
class="bulletList">
  • Robert Mugabe, quoted by the pro-government Herald newspaper, accused Western countries of "telling a lot of lies about Zimbabwe" in order to justify an intervention
  • Former UN High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Paddy Ashdown, a British politician, warned Zimbabwe's violence could descend into genocide like that in Rwanda in 1994
  • The International Cricket Council said it would consider whether to ban Zimbabwe from international cricket at a meeting in Dubai next week
  • An African election observer, who does not want to be named, told the BBC torture was "the order of the day" in Zimbabwe
  • A BBC reporter in Bulawayo, south-west of Harare, reported that members of an MDC faction had this week been ambushing and attacking pro-Zanu-PF, so-called war veterans in the area
    		•
      class="bulletList">
    • Former UN High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Paddy Ashdown, a British politician, warned Zimbabwe's violence could descend into genocide like that in Rwanda in 1994
    • The International Cricket Council said it would consider whether to ban Zimbabwe from international cricket at a meeting in Dubai next week
    • An African election observer, who does not want to be named, told the BBC torture was "the order of the day" in Zimbabwe
    • A BBC reporter in Bulawayo, south-west of Harare, reported that members of an MDC faction had this week been ambushing and attacking pro-Zanu-PF so-called war veterans in the area
    The MDC won the parliamentary vote in March, and claims to have won the first round of the presidential contest outright.The MDC won the parliamentary vote in March, and claims to have won the first round of the presidential contest outright.
    According to official results, Mr Tsvangirai was ahead of Mr Mugabe but failed to gain enough votes to avoid a run-off.According to official results, Mr Tsvangirai was ahead of Mr Mugabe but failed to gain enough votes to avoid a run-off.
    Are you in Zimbabwe? Have you been affected by the violence? Tell us what's happening where you are using the form below or by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 - and let us know if you do not want your full name to be published.Are you in Zimbabwe? Have you been affected by the violence? Tell us what's happening where you are using the form below or by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 - and let us know if you do not want your full name to be published.
    Name
    		 Name