G8 calls for release of Zimbabwe poll results

HARARE (AFP) - Foreign ministers from the Group of Eight major economies called Thursday for the swift release of the results of Zimbabwe's disputed presidential polls, condemning recent violence there.

The ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States urged "a speedy, credible and genuinely democratic resolution to this situation in accordance with the wishes of the Zimbabwean people."

In a joint statement issued by Japan, the current chair of the G8, the ministers called for the result of the presidential election "to be released expeditiously and in accordance with the due process of law."

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai claims he beat 84-year-old Mugabe outright in the presidential battle, but the ruling party says neither man won a clear victory and insists a run-off will be needed.

"No-one thinks, having seen the results of polling stations, that President Mugabe has won this election," Prime Minister Gordon Brown of former colonial power Britain told the UN Security Council meeting.

Tsvangirai had previously ruled out his participation in a second ballot, but back-pedalled from that position on Tuesday, indicating he would compete if international observers were allowed to monitor it.