Mugabe threatens opposition leaders over violence

By Nelson Banya

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe threatened on Monday to arrest opposition leaders over election campaign violence for which his opponents blame ruling party supporters.

Branding Zimbabwe's government a "criminal regime", British Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined U.S. President George W. Bush in urging Mugabe to allow international monitors to ensure a free and fair presidential run-off election on June 27.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been repeatedly detained during his campaign, but has faced no charges. His Movement for Democratic Change party says 66 people have been killed in the election violence by ruling ZANU-PF supporters.

Mugabe blames the opposition for the disturbances.

"There is now a pattern readable across the country and that has now to stop," he told a campaign rally in Kadoma, 150 km (90 miles) south of capital Harare.

"We are warning them that we will not hesitate to arrest them, and we will do that in broad daylight. They think they are protected by the British and the Americans. The law of the country has to be observed."

Mugabe is battling to keep his 28-year hold on power in a country suffering economic collapse. Tsvangirai won the first poll in March but without enough votes for an outright victory, official results show.

At a joint news conference in London after talks with U.S. President George W. Bush, the British prime minister described Zimbabwe's government as an "increasingly desperate and criminal regime" and accused it of orchestrating the violence.

"Mugabe must not be allowed to steal the election," he said.

"We call for Zimbabwe to accept a United Nations human rights envoy to visit Zimbabwe now and to accept international monitors from all parts of the world who are available to ensure that this is a free and fair election," Brown said.

HARSH WORDS

Former colonial power Britain has long been critical of Mugabe but has increased the harshness of its language in recent days.

A senior U.N. envoy, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios, arrives in Zimbabwe late on Monday for a five-day visit to assess Zimbabwe's political and humanitarian crisis ahead of the run-off vote.

Observers from Western countries were barred from the first round ballot on March 29 and are not being allowed in for the run-off. The African Union and Southern African Development Community will send teams.

Bush offered his support to Brown's call.