FACTBOX: Developments in Zimbabwe

Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:39pm EDT
 
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(Reuters) - Following are latest developments in Zimbabwe at 12:30 p.m. EDT.

** Denotes new or updated item:

** The European Commission described Zimbabwe's presidential run-off as a "sham" and said it did not recognise the election or its outcome as legitimate.

** Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he understood South African President Thabo Mbeki planned to recognize the re-election of President Robert Mugabe. But he said it would be a "dream" to expect his MDC to join a national unity government with Mugabe's ZANU-PF.

** Tsvangirai said Zimbabweans are being forced to vote in the run-off election but millions were refusing. Tsvangirai and his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had earlier urged people to abstain but said they should vote if their lives were in danger.

** Mugabe voted with his wife at Highfield Township, on the outskirts of Harare. Asked how he felt, he told journalists: "Very fit, optimistic, upbeat," before being driven away.

* U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States will consult with other members of the U.N. Security Council on the next steps to be taken after the run-off.

* Police set up several roadblocks around the capital Harare and all leave for officers has been cancelled.

* Italy said it wants European Union foreign ministers to discuss recalling European ambassadors from Zimbabwe.

* The Group of Eight nations said that Zimbabwe's first round of presidential elections must be respected, and they could not accept the legitimacy of a government not reflecting the will of the people.

* African Union foreign ministers discussed Zimbabwe ahead of a summit in Egypt at the weekend.

 

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