Zimbabwe's opposition mulls conditions for run-off

Zimbabwe's main opposition party is discussing possible conditions for its leader Morgan Tsvangirai to contest a run-off election against President Robert Mugabe, a senior MDC official said yesterday.

The Movement for Democratic Change has not yet decided whether to contest the second round, rejecting official results of the March 29 election showing the former union leader won with less than the outright majority he needed to defeat Mr Mugabe.

But if Mr Tsvangirai does not stand, it would automatically hand victory to Mr Mugabe, accused by opponents of ruining Zimbabwe's once prosperous economy during his 28 years in power.

The MDC official said party leaders were hammering out conditions they would demand for Mr Tsvangirai's participation in a second round - including a strong international observer mission and the speedy release of results.