Mbeki: Not time for Zim action

2008-04-05 14:28

Watford - President Thabo Mbeki told the international community on Saturday to wait for full election results from Zimbabwe, saying it was not time for action.

"No, it's time to wait," Mbeki said when asked if it was time for the international community to take action over the post-election crisis in Zimbabwe.

"Let's see the outcome of the election results," Mbeki told reporters as he arrived at a conference of "progressive governance" leaders near London on Saturday.

"I think the situation for now is manageable. If there is a rerun of the presidential election lets see what comes out of that."

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change - which says its leader Morgan Tsvangirai defeated President Robert Mugabe in the presidential election - has urged the United Nations to intervene to prevent violence from breaking out.

Armed police on Saturday prevented Zimbabwe opposition lawyers from entering the High Court in Harare to apply for an order forcing the release of presidential election results.

Mugabe has signalled he wants to fight to extend his 28-year rule.

Mbeki, seen as one of Africa's most influential leaders, will discuss the Zimbabwe situation with Brown later on Saturday, a spokesperson for Brown's office said.

Brown greeted Mbeki at the start of the conference. The spokesperson could provide no further details on the bilateral talks.

- Reuters