Replies

Blair calls behavior of Zimbabwe's leader outrageous [Excerpt] LONDON - Prime Minister Tony Blair accused President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on Wednesday of acting like a dictator, and said the world must insure that Mugabe steps down if he loses next month's election.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Blair condemned Mugabe's government for charging key opposition leaders in Zimbabwe with treason, calling the president's behavior "undemocratic, wrong and dictatorial."

Mugabe, the country's only president since Zimbabwe won independence from British rule in 1980, faces one of his most difficult challenges during the presidential elections on March 9 and 10.

If the vote goes against Mugabe, Blair said, "We must be in a position to make sure that the properly, democratically elected government of Zimbabwe is supported." [End Excerpt]