Mugabe blames MDC for violence

Robert Mugabe has accused the opposition of lying about political violence in Zimbabwe to cast doubt on the run-off election.Morgan Tsvangirai and his party the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) say at least 70 supporters have been killed and many beaten ahead of the forthcoming poll.The Zimbabwean president has said the MDC will never run the country and "only God" can remove him.But independent human rights activists have accused Mugabe of deploying police, soldiers and party militants in attacks on the opposition meant to ensure he defeats Tsvangirai in the run-off.Angolan President Eduardo dos Santos, seen as a Mugabe ally, has called on him to bring an end to all acts of intimidation and violence to ensure the June 27 vote is legitimate.A day earlier, Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Membe said the Southern African Development Community, which includes Tanzania and Zimbabwe, feared there could not be free and fair polls in Zimbabwe.In Europe, leaders threatened authorities in Zimbabwe with more sanctions in a statement adopted on Friday at the end of a two-day European Union summit.The opposition is counting on the international community to step in if Mugabe tries to steal victory.Tsvangirai claims he won the first round of voting outright. Official results indicate he came in first in a field of four, but failed to win the 50 percent plus one vote necessary to avoid a runoff against Mugabe.Tsvangirai's party is due to decide on Monday whether to contest the run-off.

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ITN | June 21, 2008