Zambian opposition parties barred

Critics says the president is trying to block potential rivals

Zambia's government has de-registered 13 opposition parties, with elections expected later this year.

The parties affected include the Forum for Democracy and Development, which recently announced an alliance with the other two main opposition parties.

The government said the 13 parties had not submitted annual returns as required by law.

But the BBC's Musonda Chibamba in Lusaka says many people see the move as politically motivated.

FDD leader Edith Nawakwi said she would challenge the decision in court.

"These are acts of desperation by the government. They are scared of the elections," she told the AFP news agency.

She said the decision was "definitely connected" to the announcement on Tuesday that the FDD, the United National Independence Party (Unip) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) would field a joint candidate in presidential elections.

President Levy Mwanawasa is seeking a second term in elections that are due later this year, although no date has yet been announced.