European Union foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana has said sanctions against Zimbabwe will probably be approved later today after President Mr Robert Mugabe expelled the head of an EU election observer team.
Speaking to reporters as he arrived for the monthly meeting of EU foreign ministers, Mr Solana said: "I think it is very likely that sanctions will be adopted after the latest news we had".
The head of the EU team sent to observe Zimbabwe's March election, Swedish diplomat Mr Pierre Schori, was due to report to the ministers on the situation in Zimbabwe but was expelled on Saturday.
His team of more than 30 observers did receive accreditation from the Zimbabwean authorities and has not been expelled.
Mr Solana said he did not know what sanctions the ministers would agree but said: "We will probably take a decision today".
The EU has threatened to impose targeted sanctions against Mr Mugabe and his closest associates, including a visa ban and a freeze on their overseas assets, if Zimbabwe hampers the work of its election observer mission.
The ministers have also threatened to take action if Zimbabwe denies international media free access to cover the election, which is proving the biggest challenge to Mr Mugabe's 22-year rule amid a deepening economic crisis.
