The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Harare

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai remained holed up in the Dutch embassy in Harare Tuesday after pulling out of a run-off election he said should be declared "null and void" due to violence, a stance backed by the UN Security Council.

Tsvangirai told Dutch radio Tuesday he intends to leave the embassy over the next 48 hours

"It was a temporary refuge," Tsvangirai said, adding that the Dutch ambassador had spoken to the Zimbabwe government and received assurances about the opposition leader's safety.

"So probably (I will leave) today or tomorrow," he said

The Security Council on Monday condemned the violence and intimidation against the opposition in Zimbabwe and urged that the presidential runoff vote not be held Friday as planned.

After hours of haggling, the 15-member council unanimously adopted a watered-down, non-binding statement that "condemns the campaign of violence against the political opposition ahead of the second round" of voting scheduled for Friday.