Zimbabwe security on alert after bombing attempt

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe police said on Friday there had been an attempt to blow up a road and rail bridge on one of the country's major highways near Harare.

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said in a statement: "There was an attempt to bomb the Hunyani rail and road bridges along the Harare-Bulawayo route last night. Both bridges suffered minimum damage and remained intact and useable."

"Investigations are in progress. Security forces remain on high alert."

He declined to comment on possible suspects and the motive for the attack, or whether it was linked to political tension in the country.

Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change called on their supporters to end political violence in the country earlier this month.

The two parties began power-sharing talks in July following President Robert Mugabe's re-election in a widely condemned June poll, boycotted by the opposition.

(Reporting by Cris Chinaka; editing by Robert Hart)