The Zimbabwean opposition leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, said yesterday he had secured pledges from Britain, Europe and the US to provide independent observers for next year's presidential election, when he will stand against President Robert Mugabe.
With seven parliamentary by-elections pending, Mr Tsvangirai is anxious for foreign monitors to be present in the coming months to prevent the intimidation of voters.
There were widespread complaints of fraud and violence during last year's parliamentary elections.
The diplomatic offensive by the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has coincided with a two-day general strike by an estimated 3 million Zimbabweans in protest at the government's recent 70 per cent increase in fuel prices.
Speaking in London yesterday, Mr Tsvangirai repeatedly distanced the MDC from direct involvement in the strike, but commented: "Increasing petrol prices [so much] has been suicidal.
"It's completely insensitive. If they are going to adjust the prices they should do it in a way people can still afford fuel."
In the past week Mr Tsvangirai has been received at the State Department in Washington, by the new British Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, and by three EU commissioners: Mr Chris Patten, Mr Neil Kinnock and Mr Poul Nielsen.
"Whereas before people were prepared to listen to the MDC but regard it as a protest movement, now there's acceptance of the MDC as a political party," said Mr Tsvangirai.
Late last month the EU set a two-month deadline for Mr Mugabe to end Zimbabwe's political violence and interference with the independence of the judiciary, and guarantee freedom of speech.
Industry and commerce remained largely closed on the second day of the national strike, which was called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions as a protest against economic mismanagement.