Bush says Mugabe should respect vote in Zimbabwe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Tuesday Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has "failed" the country and should respect the will of the people who voted for a change in leadership.

"The will of the people needs to be respected in Zimbabwe, and it is clear that they voted for change as they should have because Mr. Mugabe has failed the country," Bush said at a news conference.

Zimbabwe is locked in a tense standoff as Mugabe's government has not released the result of the March 29 election and opposition leaders, who claim victory, accuse him of trying to rig the outcome.

Mugabe "is intimidating the people there," Bush said.

Bush said neighboring countries like South Africa should take a leading role in resolving the crisis.

"It's really incumbent on the nations in the neighborhood to step up and lead and recognize that the will of the people must be respected," Bush said.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan, editing by David Alexander)