Opposition calls for UN help in 'war zone' Zimbabwe

AN opposition leader in Zimbabwe has likened the country to a war zone, with thousands of people displaced, hundreds injured and ten killed in post-election violence.

Tendai Biti, secretary-general of the Movement for Democratic Change, appealed for international intervention, saying violence since the March 29 elections had forced 3000 families out of their homes.

Mr Biti said United Nations organisations in Zimbabwe must be mobilised as the situation had escalated from a political crisis to a humanitarian one.

"They should move as a matter of urgency because Zimbabwe is a war zone," he told a news conference.

He said key members of the opposition's administration had been arrested, along with more than 400 supporters. "We are not able to function because of those arrests," he said.

Mr Biti and MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai say they cannot return to Zimbabwe as they face immediate arrest.