Tsvangirai calls for diplomatic solution

Harare: Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is seeking a diplomatic solution to the situation in the African country, saying it will allow the country to "heal".

Tsvangirai added that his party will not enter negotiations with Preident Robert Mugabe's government if Friday's run-off continues.

Speaking at a news conference in Harare, Tsvangirai said: "The issue is that we will not have anything to do with a post (June) 27 government arising out of this so-called election. We have said we are prepared to negotiate on this side of the 27th, not the other side of the 27th."

He appealed to African leaders to restore stability in the region.

"I am asking the AU [African Union] and SADC [Southern African Development Community] to lead an expanded initiative supported by the UN to manage what I will call a transitional process," BBC's website quoted him as saying.

He also called for the release of all political prisoners and a top offiical who is facing charges of treason.

Tsvangirai left the Dutch Embassy for the first time since fleeing there on Sunday, while MDC officials said police raided one of their provincial offices.

Meanwhile, Britain threatened to raise its sanctions against specific members of the Zimbabwean government, urging world leaders to work together to remove President Robert Mugabe from power.

"We are preparing intensified sanctions, financial and travel sanctions, against named members of the Mugabe regime," Prime Minister Gordon Brown told parliament.

He said the United Nations and the African Union needed to work together to bring a change in regime in Zimbabwe.

African leaders were meeting in Swaziland in hopes of finding a solution for Zimbabwe.

However, the Southern African Development Community meeting did not include South African President Thabo Mbeki, who was appointed to mediate in Zimbabwe.