Robert Mugabe rival takes refuge

The leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe took refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare this afternoon amid increasing fears for his life.

Morgan Tsvangirai sought diplomatic protection after armed police raided the headquarters of his Movement for Democratic Change and detained scores of his party workers.

He had been forced to pull out of Friday's presidential contest against Robert Mugabe because of a campaign of violence against his supporters which has claimed at least 86 lives and left scores injured or imprisoned.

Militias from Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party roamed the capital and were seen attacking any Zimbabweans suspected of backing the MDC.

American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stepped up the pressure on the Mugabe regime by saying there was "no legitimacy" for his government and that a fair election was now "impossible".

Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown signalled that Britain may push for tougher sanctions to force British companies to cut links with the country.

The Foreign Office is considering a range of measures, including cutting off electricity supplies, but stressed that any steps must be targeted at the regime, not the people of Zimbabwe who already face mass unemployment, food shortages and rampant inflation.

Restrictions could also be increased on Mr Mugabe's inner circle of around 130 people, which Gordon Brown has branded a "criminal cabal", such as freezing their assets globally. Lord Malloch-Brown said military action had not been considered to oust Mr Mugabe.