• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

Zimbabwe MDC says regional observers enough for run-off

JOHANNESBURG
Tue May 13, 2008 5:27am EDT
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, listens during a radio interview at the studio in Johannesburg in this April 17, 2008 file photo.REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition group said on Tuesday he would contest a presidential run-off against veteran President Robert Mugabe even if only regional observers could be present.

World

Morgan Tsvangirai had previously called for unfettered access for international observers, which the government rejected.

"At the moment the obligation is on (regional group) SADC. I am sure that they will fulfill their obligations, especially to send SADC peacekeepers and observers," Movement for Democratic Change leader Tsvangirai told Reuters in a telephone interview. "For us that is sufficient."

Asked how long he was willing to wait for a run-off, after electoral authorities said there would likely be a delay, he said:

"The thing is that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, if it has to extend the time of a run-off, it has to do so within a reasonable period. I'm sure that SADC will also be pressurizing them to set a date."

(Reporting by Caroline Drees; Editing by Matthew Tostevin)



More from Reuters

Photo

Business spending holds back economic growth

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The economy grew at a much slower pace than previously thought in the third quarter, restrained by weak business investment and a slightly more aggressive liquidation of inventories, data showed on Tuesday.

Guadalupe Hernandez receives an ultrasound by nurse practitioner Gail Brown during a prenatal exam at the Maternity Outreach Mobile in Phoenix, Arizona October 8, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Joshua Lott

Health reform inches closer

Democrats are on the verge of passing landmark legislation by Christmas, with only one more hurdle remaining.  Full Article | Video 

Photo

The end of the carry trade?

Borrowing the dollar cheaply to fund purchases of higher-yielding assets was a no-brainer in 2009, but will it be a safe bet in 2010?  Full Article