Unity Government Call In Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper has called for the establishment of a transitional government headed by President Robert Mugabe. It says political tensions following last month's presidential election make it impossible to hold a free and fair run-off in the near future. The electoral commission has still not issued the results of the poll. The opposition says its candidate, Morgan Tsvangarai, won March's presidential vote outright. The electoral commission has said it cannot publish the official results until it completes a recount of presidential and parliamentary votes in 23 disputed areas. The ruling Zanu-Pf party has won in the first of these constituencies to complete a recount. The Herald said the electoral commission had confirmed Zanu-PF's victory in Goromonzi West, one of only two constituencies where the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had requested a recount. The editorial in The Herald says other Southern African countries should act as mediators between the government and opposition, to form a unity government which could organise new elections and write a new constitution. It also says the West must lift economic sanctions. The unity government would be headed by Mr Mugabe. It may be too soon to suggest that the article represents a significant shift in party policy, says the BBC's Peter Greste in Johannesburg, but it may well reflect a strand of thought within Zanu-PF. Mr Tsvangarai's MDC accuses supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF of voter intimidation and beatings ahead of an expected second round. Post-election violence in Zimbabwe has displaced 3,000 people, injured 500 and left 10 dead, according to MDC secretary general Tendai Biti. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa denied anyone had died in political violence.