Zimbabwe opposition pulls out of election

Harare: Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will put out of the June 27 run-off election on Sunday, citing increasing violence as a primary reason.

"We in the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) have resolved that we will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process," Tsvangirai told reporters.

He added that a free and fair election 'is impossible' under the current circumstances, and urged the United Nations and African Union to intervene in what he called 'genocide' in Zimbabwe.

This decision would mean President Robert Mugabe will remain the leader of the restive nation.

Meanwhile, youth members of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party on Sunday attacked journalists and forced election observers to leave a rally for opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC said.

The MDC said in a statement, "Thousands of Zanu-PF youth militia, armed with iron bars, sticks and other weapons, have attacked journalists and forced election observer teams to flee from the venue of the MDC scheduled rally. Police are firing tear gas."

Police had banned the rally, but a Zimbabwe court overturned this on Saturday and said it could go ahead.

The youth militia, notorious for its violence, arrived by the busload. It set up road blocs at the main approach streets to Harare's show ground to prevent opposition supporters from reaching the venue, ripped branches from trees and hurled stones at cars.

Hundreds of militants, many with sticks and wearing Zanu-PF ruling party colours, marched past its headquarters chanting slogans. Eight Zanu-PF trucks, warning lights flashing and crammed with passengers, circled the area.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change claimed that the militants were beating opposition supporters who were trying to reach the venue. The party's claim could not immediately be confirmed.

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai had planned an afternoon address to the rally, his main campaign event before Friday's runoff.