Mugabe forces hold UK and US diplomats at gunpoint

Panic as diplomats are held at gunpoint Driver beaten up and tyres slashed Furious Miliband lays into tyrant

British and US diplomats were held at gunpoint and some threatened with being burnt to death in Zimbabwe yesterday.

Police and fanatical "war veterans" - armed bands dedicated to president Robert Mugabe - confronted four UK envoys and five Americans.

Menaced by a baying mob, the officials feared for their lives during the serious international incident.

All were freed unharmed after six hours but a Zimbabwean driver was beaten up and the cars damaged.

The ugly confrontation will sour already poor relations between Zimbabwe and Britain and the US before the presidential election run-off later this month and lead to renewed demands for sanctions.