British Prime Minister Tony Blair will press Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to ensure fair trials for his main political opponent, who has been charged with treason and terrorism, Blair’s spokesman said today in Malta.

Commonwealth foreign ministers today lifted the suspension of Pakistan from the organisation.

President Robert Mugabe sensationally pulled Zimbabwe out of the Commonwealth after members decided to extend the southern African country’s suspension from the group of Britain and its former colonies.

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair's call for Zimbabwe to remain suspended from the Commonwealth was finally heeded by fellow leaders last night after days of wrangling.

ZIMBABWE President Robert Mugabe yesterday lashed out at the Commonwealth, repeating threats to pull Zimbabwe out of the organisation after he was barred from attending a summit taking place in Nigeria.

Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe lashed out at Commonwealth nations today, repeating threats to pull Zimbabwe out of the organisation and accusing his critics of meddling in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs.

THE British Conservative Party yesterday released a confidential Commonwealth report into human rights abuses in Zimbabwe in an effort to put new pressure on President Robert Mugabe and bring an end to his regime.

Several banks and businesses closed today in support of a nationwide strike called to protest at irregularities in Zimbabwe’s widely condemned presidential election.

Just days before elections in Zimbabwe, Commonwealth ministers were meeting today to discuss imposing sanctions on Harare over violence and intimidation by supporters of President Robert Mugabe.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Brisbane, Australia, next month has been postponed, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said today.

A meeting next month of British Commonwealth leaders will help build support for the US offensive against terrorism and should go ahead as planned, Australia’s foreign minister Alexander Downer said today.