Mugabe hints at early elections

President Robert Mugabe said his party should be preparing for early elections - and he wants no repeat of his March loss.

Mr Mugabe spoke today at the close of his ZANU-PF party’s two-day conference. He told about 5,000 party loyalists new elections would be held if a power-sharing plan collapsed.

The unity government agreement Mr Mugabe signed in September with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has stalled.

Mr Mugabe came in second to Mr Tsvangirai in a March election. Official results did not give Mr Tsvangirai enough votes to avoid a run-off. Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of the June run-off because of state-sponsored violence against his supporters.

Mr Mugabe told supporters today they should mobilise to avoid a repeat of the March defeat.