200806291836 | Bush: Mugabe Govt is 'illegitimate'

Bush: Mugabe Govt is 'illegitimate'

Washington - US President George W Bush said on Saturday he had directed that sanctions be drawn up against the "illegitimate" government of Zimbabwe after a run-off vote boycotted by the opposition.

"Given the Mugabe regime's blatant disregard for the Zimbabwean people's democratic will and human rights, I am instructing the Secretaries of State and Treasury to develop sanctions against this illegitimate government of Zimbabwe and those who support it," Bush said in a statement.

The president said the United States would also be pressing for "strong action" at the United Nations, including an arms embargo on Zimbabwe and travel ban on regime officials, following the "sham election" on Friday.

The UN failed to agree on Friday on a statement declaring the run-off illegitimate in the face of South African opposition, merely issuing a statement of regret.

Zimbabwe's veteran leader Robert Mugabe was unopposed in the vote after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out, saying violence against his supporters had made a fair vote impossible.

Tsvangirai had beaten Mugabe in the March first round, although not by enough to secure a clear victory.

Government sources said Mugabe is expected to be inaugurated for a new term as president on Sunday.