Mugabe govt rejects opposition pullout

Zimbabwe authorities ruled yesterday that tomorrow's presidential vote would go ahead despite the withdrawal of the opposition and international condemnation against violence.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who pulled out of the contest against President Robert Mugabe because of attacks on his followers, said the vote was a sham and called for the African Union, backed by the United Nations, to lead a transition in Zimbabwe.

Tsvangirai spoke at a press conference at his home after leaving the Dutch embassy where he took refuge after announcing the pullout last Sunday. But he returned to the embassy later.