Mugabe's men bid to stop sanctions

Robert Mugabe's ministers are being quizzed in Brussels about Zimbabwe's human rights record today as the African state faced the prospect of sanctions.

The meeting with EU officials is seen as a last opportunity for the country to stave off some form of punitive action in the face of worldwide condemnation over its confiscation of land and widespread violence.

However, sanctions would be fairly limited. Cutting off £7.35million of EU aid, earmarked for education and combating the Aids virus, would hurt the poorest citizens and further cripple the country's development.