12 Jul 2008

UN rejects Zimbabwe sanctions

9:11 am on 12 July 2008

An attempt to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and some of his key allies has been vetoed at the United Nations Security Council.

The resolution would have imposed an arms embargo on the southern African country and financial and travel restrictions on Mr Mugabe and 13 other officials.

It would also have called for a UN special envoy for Zimbabwe to be appointed.

Nine countries voted for the resolution, five opposed it, Russia and China which have veto powers, while one country abstained.

There has been growing international criticism of Zimbabwe since the re-election of Mr Mugabe on 27 June in a run-off boycotted by the opposition due to violence against its supporters.