Zimbabwe opposition rejects presidential run-off

By Nelson Banya

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's opposition MDC will not participate in a presidential run-off against Robert Mugabe, a top party official said on Thursday, after reports of escalating violence deepened a post-election crisis.

The Movement for Democratic Change believes its leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the outright majority in the March 29 election he needed to avoid a second round. But if he does not contest, Mugabe is automatically declared the winner.

"Our official position still remains the same that we are not participating," MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti told reporters in Cape Town.

But he added the party will hold talks with civic society groups from Zimbabwe in Pretoria on Saturday and hold a news conference afterwards "to put this issue to rest".

South Africa's Foreign Ministry said President Thabo Mbeki, who has been a primary regional mediator in Zimbabwe, will travel to Harare on Friday to meet political leaders.

"During his visit President Mbeki is expected to interact with the Zimbabwean political leadership," said Ronnie Mamoepa, a spokesman for South Africa's department of foreign affairs.

Mbeki, who has faced a barrage of criticism for not taking a tough line with Mugabe, had said there was no crisis in his southern African neighbor. Tsvangirai has said Mbeki was no longer fit to mediate in Zimbabwe.

INTIMIDATION