Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has withdrawn from the June 27th presidential run-off election, citing political violence and an unfair poll that would favour President Robert Mugabe.
"We in the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) have resolved that we will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process," he told reporters in Harare, before urging the United Nations and African Union to intervene to prevent a "genocide".
The elections have become "a travesty of democracy" and the withdrawal of leading opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai is understandable, the European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana has said.
He "considers that the withdrawal of Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai...is understandable, given the unacceptable systematic campaign of violence, obstruction and intimidation lead by the Zimbabwean authorities, which has continued for several weeks," Solana's office said in a statement.
"In these conditions, the elections have become a travesty of democracy. They are certainly not worthy of the African continent of today," the statement said.
After the announcment, the White House called for the Zimbabwe government and "its thugs" to stop violence . "The government of Zimbabwe and its thugs must stop the violence now," said
a White House spokesman. "All parties should be able to participate in a legitimate election and not be subject to the intimidation and unlawful actions of the government, armed militias and so-called war veterans".
Meanwhile, supporters of President Robert Mugabe attacked a MDC election rally in Harare, beating journalists and forcing election observers to flee.
The violence further heightened tension around the June 27th vote for presidency in which Mr Tsvangirai is challenging Mr Mugabe amid opposition charges of strong-arm tactics and intimidation by the government.
"Thousands of Zanu -PF youth militia, armed with iron bars, sticks and other weapons, have attacked journalists and forced election observer teams to flee from the venue of the MDC scheduled rally. Police are firing tear gas," the MDC said in a statement.
Mr Tsvangirai, who beat Mr Mugabe in a March 29th vote but failed to win the absolute majority needed to avoid a second ballot, has been detained by police five times while campaigning and he says at least 70 MDC members have been murdered.
Police had banned the rally, which was to be the highlight of Mr Tsvangirai's stormy election campaign. A High Court in Harare yesterday overturned the police ban.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa accused Mr Mugabe of attempting to provoke the opposition to respond violently and said the disruption of the rally highlighted the need to reconsider the party's participation in the run-off.
Mr Tsvangirai said he won the March vote outright and only reluctantly agreed to a run-off that his MDC describes as a charade. The state-run media has refused to run the opposition's political ads and police have blocked some of its rallies.
Tendai Biti, a top MDC official and lieutenant to Mr Tsvangirai, is in custody on a treason charge and other offences that carry a possible death penalty. A magistrate has ordered him held until at least July 7th.
Opposition fears that the vote will not be fair have been spurred by Mr Mugabe's vows never to turn over power to the opposition, which he brands a puppet of Britain and the United States.
Mr Mugabe (84), is fighting to cling onto power in the country he has ruled since independence from Britain in 1980. Once prosperous, its economy is now ruined and millions have fled the political and economic crisis to neighbouring states.
He has blamed the political violence on the opposition and denies security forces were responsible for brutality.