Zimbabwe opposition to pull out

The opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC in Zimbabwe has decided to pull out of the presidential run-off on 27 June, his party officials say, it is not clear from Morgan Tsvangirai yet but for now it appears to be so.

The Movement for Democratic Change says the decision comes after at least 70 of its supporters have been killed in the run-up to the poll.

The incumbent, Robert Mugabe, has accused the opposition of being behind the violence.

Mr Mugabe has said he will never accept a Zimbabwe run by the MDC.

On Saturday, South Africa sent two mediators to Harare, just days after its President, Thabo Mbeki, went to Zimbabwe himself, for separate talks with Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai.

The BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, says this is possibly a last ditch effort to persuade Mr Mugabe to cancel the election run-off, and to persuade both sides to begin negotiations on a government of national unity.

The sage of uncertainty continues in Zimbabwe so don't be surprise if another breaking news annouces that the opposition is not pulling out of the run-off on 27 June.

Source: BBC News (click to red full story)