LONDON (AFP) — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned spiralling violence in Zimbabwe Saturday and pledged intensified international action following a UN Security Council debate next week.
Britain has requested a briefing from the UN secretariat on the impasse in Zimbabwe since the March 29 presidential poll, the results of which have still not been announced. The briefing will take place Tuesday.
"I am concerned by the worsening violence in Zimbabwe and the arrest of over 200 opposition figures," Brown said in a statement.
"I condemn the violence against those who voted for change. Their voices must be heard."
He added: "The coming days will be critical. We will intensify international action around a UNSC (UN Security Council) discussion on Tuesday."
Brown, whose country is the former colonial power in Zimbabwe, also vowed to push for a UN mission to probe violence and human rights abuses there.
"We and others stand ready to help rebuild Zimbabwe once democracy returns," he added.
"I pledge that Britain will be in the vanguard of this effort."
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said Saturday it had confirmed its victory in the vote after a partial recount -- although the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission was unable to confirm the claim.
The MDC also said at least 15 of its supporters had been killed since the poll.
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