World 'losing patience' with Zim
12/04/2008 10:01  - (SA)  

US: Mugabe must end violence MDC calls for strike Mugabe to boycott crisis talks Rallies banned in Harare Mbete: Zim cause for concern Poll results 'public knowledge' Tsvangirai's lawyer arrested Our hands are tied, says ZEC Mbeki meets Tsvangirai Zuma appeals to Zim for respect

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London - The international community's patience with Zimbabwe's regime is "wearing thin", British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Friday.

Brown said he could not understand why it was taking so long to announce the results of the March 29 presidential elections in Zimbabwe. The British prime minister said in an e-mailed statement that he was appalled by signs that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's regime was resorting to "intimidation and violence".

"The international community will remain careful to do nothing to undermine efforts to secure an outcome that reflects the democratic will of the people of Zimbabwe," Brown said, before adding that the international community's "patience with the regime is wearing thin".

The warning is the strongest yet from the British leader. While Britain has long been a public critic of Zimbabwe's long-serving ruler, Brown has avoided attacking Mugabe directly in the aftermath of the disputed elections there for fear of galvanising anti-British sentiment in the African country, a former British colony.

Situation increasingly tense

But the situation in the country has become increasingly tense and unpredictable nearly two weeks after a presidential election that produced no official winner. The opposition has accused the security forces and ruling party militants of engaging in a wave of violence against perceived opponents since the election to intimidate voters and ensure Mugabe wins a runoff.

Independent tallies suggest Mugabe lost the March 29 vote, but that a runoff would be needed because no one won more than 50% of the vote. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he won outright and has travelled the region in recent days asking neighbouring leaders to push for Mugabe to resign after 28 years in power.

Southern Africa's leaders are to meet in Zambia on Saturday to discuss the crisis, though it appeared Mugabe would not attend.

Brown's statement comes after the United States said it had "credible reports of violence and intimidation" against opposition supporters and called on the government to end the attacks.

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