EU to seek 'all possible sanctions' against Mugabe, says Merkel

Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel took a tough stance against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, condemning his re-election last week as illegitimate and vowing in an interview with The Associated Press that the European Union would seek "all possible sanctions" against the country's government and leader.

"We will take up the issue again within the EU, under the leadership of the French presidency," Merkel said. "We will think up all possible sanctions and check to see what more we can do, such as travel bans" for members of Mugabe's regime.

The EU, which is calling for new elections, said on Friday it was ready to consider "appropriate measures" against those responsible for violence in Zimbabwe, but did not elaborate. The US also is seeking international sanctions against Mugabe and his top aides.

In a wide-ranging interview this week, Merkel spoke of her priorities ahead of next week's summit of Group of Eight industrialised nations in Japan, and cited Zimbabwe as a key issue on the agenda.

She hinted that the G-8 may apply pressure on African leaders invited to the summit to take a more forceful position against Mugabe. A gathering of African Union leaders in Egypt failed to yield a strong unified message over voting widely dismissed as a farce after opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out, citing violence and intimidation.

She said, "We will speak to the African countries that are invited to the summit. And we will of course all voice our opinions about Zimbabwe."

Merkel said G-8 leaders would strive to find solutions to the food crisis that threatens millions in poor nations with hunger, and emphasised the need to help developing nations help themselves through modern agricultural reforms.