Zimbabwe's future uncertain

Zimbabweans are awaiting the fall-out from Morgan Tsvangirai's decision to pull out of the presidential run-off.The MDC leader abandoned Friday's planned election, saying he was no longer prepared to play President Robert Mugabe's "game".Mr Tsvangirai said he would put forward new proposals by Wednesday on how take the country forward.His decision followed the blockade of a campaign rally by thousands of pro-government militants and came in the wake of the murders of up to 85 MDC supporters.Foreign Secretary David Miliband is pushing for a "full discussion" on the troubled country in a session of the United Nations security council.He said: "We have reached an absolutely critical moment in the drive by the people of Zimbabwe to rid themselves of the tyrannical rule of Robert Mugabe. He has made, and his thugs have made an election impossible."He said Zimbabwe continued to be "bossed" by the 84-year-old and his henchmen even though it was clear the MDC and Mr Tsvangirai had won the election in March.Speaking to reporters in the capital Harare, a tired-looking Mr Tsvangirai told reporters a credible election was "impossible"."We can't ask the people to cast their vote on June 27 when that vote will cost their lives," he said."We will no longer participate in this violent sham of an election."We will not play his game."His campaign has been dogged by violence, with tens of thousands of MDC supporters forced to flee their homes, and thousands more beaten and tortured.MDC general secretary Tendai Biti was arrested and charged with treason and Mr Tsvangirai himself was detained several times.The opposition leader called on the United Nations, the European Union and the Southern African regional bloc to intervene.The future of the country looks bleak.Some observers predict a violent backlash from a desperate population.Mr Mugabe is yet to respond. But government ministers accused Mr Tsvangirai of "chickening out" and said the run-off would go ahead without him.South Africa President Thabo Mbeki is thought to be pressing for further talks between the two parties, in the hope of encouraging a government of national unity.The European Union on Friday threatened to step up sanctions against the regime, while Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned Mr Mugabe's "criminal cabal".Sanctions currently involve an asset freeze and travel ban for Mr Mugabe and members of his regime, but it is not clear what else could be done without heaping further misery on the beleaguered people.

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ITN | June 23, 2008

Tags:. .mdc. .tired. .themselves. .morgan tsvangirai. .rally