Blair facing Zimbabwe test

Tony Blair was today battling against an increasingly bitter split in the Commonwealth over Zimbabwe.

The Prime Minister arrived in Nigeria for the most fraught summit of Commonwealth leaders for years to face a series of rows provoked by supporters of dictator Robert Mugabe.

Mr Blair was determined to maintain the suspension of the country as punishment for human rights abuses and election-rigging by the Mugabe regime.

But his plea was facing hostility from other African nations - and a risk of a damaging divide along racial lines.

South African leader Thabo Mbeki, a key Mugabe ally, was gathering support among black nations for sacking secretary general Don McKinnon - a fierce critic of Mugabe.

And in a separate blow to Mr Blair, Mugabe's allies were blocking his hopes of an end to the suspension of Pakistan from the group. Britain wants to reward the country for making moves to restore democracy.