Mugabe

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP):

Zimbabwe's High Court has rejected an appeal for the immediate release of delayed presidential election results, dashing hopes for an end to the paralysing political crisis and prompting the opposition to call a nationwide strike.

Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he won the March 29 election outright and had accused President Robert Mugabe of holding back the results to try to maintain his 28-year grip on power. Independent tallies show Tsvangirai won, but did not receive enough votes to prevent a run-off.

Since the vote, ruling party militants have waged a campaign of violence against Opposition supporters ahead of a possible second round of voting, the Opposition and human rights groups said.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said Monday it had documented at least 130 attacks on Opposition or independent poll monitors. Two people have been killed and 29 hospitalised with serious injuries, Director Irene Petras said.