Zimbabwe opposition leader pulling out of election

By ANGUS SHAW, Breitbart Zimbabwe's opposition leader says he is pulling out of Friday's runoff election against President Robert Mugabe. Morgan Tsvangirai says this is because of mounting violence and intimidation against the opposition during the campaign.

---

Tsvangirai announced his decision during a news conference in Zimbabwe's capital on Sunday after thousands of ruling party militants blockaded the site of the opposition's main campaign rally. The opposition says that police in full riot gear and soldiers have taken over the site of the rally. HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP)—Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is pulling out of Friday's presidential runoff because of mounting violence and intimidation, sources in his party said Sunday. They told The Associated Press that Tsvangirai would make the official announcement at a news conference after a party national executive committee meeting. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not yet been made. Tsvangirai had hoped to address his main campaign rally ahead of the runoff against 84-year-old President Robert Mugabe, who has held power since independence from Britain in 1980. But thousands of ruling party militants blockaded the site. They set up roadblocks to prevent opposition supporters from reaching the venue, ripped branches from trees and hurled stones at cars. Hundreds of militants, many with sticks and wearing ZANU-PF ruling party colors, marched past its headquarters chanting slogans. Eight ZANU-PF trucks crammed with passengers circled the grounds. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change claimed the militants were beating opposition supporters who were trying to reach the venue and said at least two were seriously injured. More...