Tsvangirai Seeks Refuge At Dutch Embassy

(23 June 2008 - RV) The Dutch Foreign Ministry says Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has sought refuge in their embassy in Harare.

It’s reported that Tsvangirai entered the Dutch embassy shortly after a police raid today on the headquarters of his party, the Movement for Democratic Change.

Earlier he had said he was ready to negotiate with President Robert Mugabe's ruling party after his withdrawal from a presidential election, but only if political violence stopped.

Tsvangirai yesterday pulled out of the June 27 poll, saying supporters of his party would risk their lives by voting.

Zimbabwean officials have said that a run-off presidential election will go ahead despite the withdrawal of the MDC leader.

Dennis Benton is the spokesperson for the “Zimbabwe Vigil” in London.

He told us more about the violence targeted at the opposition supporters that drove Tsvangirai to pull out of the election.