HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP):

More than 300 Zim-babwean opposition supporters seeking refuge from political violence were preparing to spend a second night at the South African embassy in Harare, embassy officials said yesterday.

Embassy official Willem Geer-lings said embassy personnel were trying to find sanctuary for the men, women and children who had spent the last 24 hours sitting on the grounds of the embassy.

"We don't have any facilities to take care of these people, so we're doing our utmost best," he said.

The people seeking refuge are supporters of the Morgan Tsvan-girai's Movement for Democratic Change.

Tsvangirai announced Sunday he was withdrawing from a presidential runoff against President Robert Mugabe because state-sponsored violence against the opposition party had made it impossible to run.

Officials say the election will go ahead today with Tsvangirai's name on the ballot.

The Red Cross in Zimbabwe has supplied food, blankets and tents to the group sheltering in the embassy, South African Am-bassador to Zimbabwe Mlungisi Makalima said in a statement.

Makalima said that, since Wednesday night, a group of diplomats has been talking with Zimbabwean authorities and humanitarian organiszations about finding accommodation for the refuge seekers. Some had been injured before they arrived, he said.