Zambia calls for Zimbabwe summit

Lusaka: Zambia has called an emergency summit of southern African leaders to discuss the election crisis in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

The meeting, which is to take place on Saturday, follows appeals by Zimbabwe's opposition leader for neighbouring leaders to pressure incumbent President Robert Mugabe to release election results and end the political crisis paralysing the country.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change claims its leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the presidential vote outright and has asked the High Court to force publication of the results.

Mugabe's party has called for a recount and a further delay in announcing the results.

The move comes amid reports that people are being beaten up and their homes torched.