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Mugabe party backs election bid Mugabe party backs election bid
(about 2 hours later)
Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party has endorsed President Robert Mugabe as its candidate for the 2008 election.Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party has endorsed President Robert Mugabe as its candidate for the 2008 election.
Mr Mugabe, 83, has been in power since independence in 1980. Mr Mugabe, 83, has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980.
There had been reports that one faction in the party had wanted Mr Mugabe to stand down to end a political and economic crisis. Correspondents say the move is a major setback for two party factions that wanted him to stand down in order to end the political and economic crisis.
But Zanu-PF's central committee backed his decision to run for a fresh term in office, a party spokesman said at the meeting in Harare. The UN has warned that many people are facing starvation, and recent months have seen a harsh police campaign against opposition demonstrations.
"The candidate for the party in 2008 will be the president himself. He was endorsed by the central committee," Nathan Shamuyarira told reporters. The BBC's southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Mugabe's critics within the party believe his leadership is deeply damaging and, with the economy now out of control, that he should step down.
Parliamentary and presidential elections will be held in 2008, he added. We can never entertain... a party that is walking the road of terrorism Mr Mugabe speaking of the MDC
Leaders' support The opposition group, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), says it is appalled at the latest news - and there is likely to be deep disquiet across southern Africa, our correspondent says.
More than 80% of Zimbabweans are living in poverty, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.
Hit squads
"The candidate for the party in 2008 will be the president himself. He was endorsed by the central committee," party spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira said at a meeting in Harare.
Morgan Tsvangirai says he was badly beaten in police custodyParliamentary elections, scheduled for 2010, will be brought forward by two years to coincide with the presidential poll, he added.
Earlier, Mr Mugabe urged Zanu-PF members to stay united in the face of international and domestic opposition to his rule.Earlier, Mr Mugabe urged Zanu-PF members to stay united in the face of international and domestic opposition to his rule.
He branded the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) as "violent", and said: "We can never entertain... a party that is walking the road of terrorism. We will not allow that in Zimbabwe." He branded the opposition MDC as "violent", and said: "We can never entertain... a party that is walking the road of terrorism. We will not allow that in Zimbabwe."
Mr Mugabe attended the Zanu-PF meeting one day after meeting fellow southern African leaders to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe at a summit in Tanzania. However, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai says there has been a sharp escalation in violence against activists, with Mr Mugabe now using "hit squads" to crack down on group members.
Zimbabwe's economy is in meltdown, with inflation of 1,700% and widespread poverty and unemployment. Scores of activists were arrested and allegedly assaulted after police broke up a rally earlier this month. The police accuse the MDC of starting the violence.
The leaders agreed that South African President Thabo Mbeki should try to promote political dialogue inside Zimbabwe. Sanctions threat
And they expressed solidarity with Mr Mugabe, urging Western countries to lift sanctions. The decision followed an emergency southern African summit on Thursday, which gave its public backing to Mr Mugabe despite international criticism over the crackdown on opposition activists.
They also called on the UK, the former colonial power in Zimbabwe, to pay for land reform. The leaders, meeting in Tanzania, agreed that South African President Thabo Mbeki should try to promote political dialogue inside Zimbabwe.
They expressed solidarity with Mr Mugabe, urging Western countries to lift sanctions and also called on the UK, the former colonial power in Zimbabwe, to pay for land reform.
The UK and US governments are calling for sanctions beyond the current travel ban and assets freeze on senior officials.