Divisions grow over Zimbabwe poll

Mugabe supporters have been celebrating victory

International opinion is becoming increasingly divided about President Robert Mugabe's victory in the presidential election in Zimbabwe.

The US and Britain have led international condemnation of the result, but some African countries have welcomed it.

	Mugabe: 1, 685,212; Tsvangirai: 1,258,401 Official turnout: 3,130,913 or 55.9% High turnout in Zanu-PF's rural strongholds  Q&A: What next?

US President George W Bush said he did not recognise the outcome and that the election was "flawed".

Most foreign and local observers said the vote was deeply unjust, but teams from South Africa and Nigeria are describing the ballot as "legitimate".

Mr Mugabe was pronounced the winner on Wednesday, amid widespread accusations of ballot irregularities and violence by the ruling Zanu-PF party.

But he has yet to claim victory, and has not made any public appearances.

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Zimbabwe's defeated opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, said the election was rigged and that the result was "daylight robbery".

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said he was anxious about the situation in Zimbabwe, calling on Zimbabweans to remain calm and to disavow acts of violence and retribution.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Mr Mugabe could claim victory but not democratic legitimacy.

Schori: Neighbours' reaction crucial

Washington could impose sanctions beyond the travel restrictions it placed on Mr Mugabe and close colleagues last month, he said.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Mr Mugabe's government had for months carried out a campaign of violence and intimidation to maintain his grip on power, though he stopped short of refusing to recognise the result.

The election has been condemned by Western observers, who said tens of thousands of people, mostly in the opposition stronghold of Harare, were unable to vote.

Leaders of the European Union are expected to discuss the situation at a summit in Barcelona later this week and may call for further sanctions.

Pierre Schori, the head of the EU observer mission that was expelled from Zimbabwe, said he did not consider the election free and fair.

"Rather, it is a violation of the people of Zimbabwe," he said.

Mr Schori said the consequences of the election would depend largely on the reactions of neighbouring countries.

'Legitimacy'

An observer team from the Organisation for African Unity (OAU) said the elections, in general, were "transparent, credible, free and fair".

	Choose a link below for latest news from around the country:  1. Harare  2. Mashonaland  3. Matebeleland  4. Midlands  5. Manicaland  6. Masvingo

South African election monitors in Zimbabwe said the election should be considered legitimate and the South African President, Thabo Mbeki, said his country would work with Zimbabwe to help deal with the issues of land ownership and economic recovery.

A 16-member group of Nigerian observers in Zimbabwe has also endorsed Mr Mugabe's victory, saying it had "recorded no incidence that was sufficient to threaten the integrity and outcome of the election, in areas monitored by the team".

The leaders of Kenya and Tanzania, meanwhile, have already praised Mr Mugabe's "deserved victory".

Fears of violence

Mr Tsvangirai, who leads the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said he was not seeking confrontation with the state.

Though Mugabe must go - the West should be more prepared to support black farmers as capable of running farms, capable of running an economy, capable of progress and development

Tanaka Mutariki, London
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However, fears of violence by MDC supporters prompted security forces to be put on high alert on the main approach roads to the capital Harare.

Dozens of heavily armed soldiers took up positions around the MDC office in the second city, Bulawayo.

But most people have stayed at home since the elections, apparently fearing trouble.

With all the votes in the election counted, Mr Mugabe received about 54%, compared with Mr Tsvangirai's 40%.