Zimbabwe opposition seeks more protests

Zimbabwe's main opposition has vowed to continue with street protests against President Robert Mugabe.

Zimbabwe's main opposition has vowed to continue with street protests against President Robert Mugabe.

Yesterday, the government crushed attempted marches in main urban centres.

But in what appeared like a plea to its supporters to return to the streets, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) congratulated itself for shutting down the country's industry and commerce, suggesting street demonstrations failed only due to a heavy police clampdown.

In New York, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on the protest organisers "to ensure that their action remains peaceful and within the law", a UN spokesman said.

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Although MDC leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai had said he did not expect street marches to take off after yesterday, his party said demonstrations against Mugabe's government would continue during the week as planned.

"What is left is for the people to press on for the next four days with the complete stay away from work and massive demonstrations. People must all remain resolute. The end is in sight," the MDC said in a statement.

Earlier, Mr Tsvangirai said the police crackdown appeared to have stopped many supporters from participating in the planned marches - described by the government as an illegal attempt to provoke a coup d'etat.

Zimbabwe state television dismissed yesterday's protests as a flop, saying business went on largely as usual and that army and police patrols had maintained peace around the country.

Police fired teargas in some areas to disperse protesters and said they arrested over 150 MDC activists and supporters.

Police briefly detained Mr Tsvangirai yesterday, charging him with contempt of court for refusing to comply with a judge's order to call off the demonstrations.