EU pushes Zimbabwe on election monitors

The Belgian Foreign Minister, Louis Michel, has met his Zimbabwean counterpart, Stan Mudenge, in Brussels to discuss whether European Union observers will be allowed to witness Zimbabwe's presidential elections next year.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Michel made clear he wanted an answer by Sunday.

EU foreign ministers are to meet in Luxembourg the following day, and Mr Michel said that meeting would assume its responsibilities - correspondents say this is a clear indication the EU might impose sanctions on President Mugabe's government for failing to address human rights concerns.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service