By KUNA,
United Nations : The Security Council late Monday condemned the political violence engulfing Zimbabwe as a result of the planned run-off election and called on the Government of President Robert Mugabe to stop the attacks, to cease intimidating the opposition, and to release political leaders who have been detained.
In a statement read out by council president US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, the council said the violence and restrictions on the activities of the opposition “have made it impossible for a free and fair election to take place” next Friday as planned.
“To be legitimate, any government of Zimbabwe must take account of the interest of all its citizens,” the presidential statement said, adding that the results of the first round of elections on 29 March “must be respected.” The statement has been watered down from an earlier version which explicitly blamed Mugabe’s government for the crisis and said the opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who claimed victory in the March 29 election, would be the legitimate leader if a credible run-off election could not be held.
Council members urged international monitors and observers to remain in Zimbabwe until the crisis is resolved and welcomed the recent efforts of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and especially South African President Thabo Mbeki, to find a peaceful settlement “that allows a legitimate government to be formed that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people.” They also voiced concern at the grave humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe and condemned the government’s decision to suspend the operation of aid organizations.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also told reporters “I would strongly discourage the authorities with going ahead with the run-off on Friday. It will only deepen divisions within the country and produce a result that cannot be credible.”
Tsvangirai, of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), announced on Sunday his withdrawal from the 27 June run-off election in which he was set to face President Robert Mugabe who has been in power for 28 years, since the country got its independence from Britain in 1980.