Forex

The secretary general of Zimbabwe's opposition party has been granted bail, a day before a controversial presidential poll run-off.

Tendai Biti, of the Movement for Democratic Change, was held earlier this month on treason charges, which his party says are politically driven.

The MDC has withdrawn from Friday's poll over fears of political violence.

Southern African leaders have called on President Robert Mugabe to postpone the vote and negotiate with the opposition.

The leaders from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) said conditions did not permit a free and fair election onCondemned'

Speaking to the BBC, the head of the MDC said that the ruling Zanu-PF party wanted to proceed with the election to give itself legitimacy.

"They need that in order to demonstrate that they have been voted in by the people," said Morgan Tsvangirai.


African voices on Zimbabwe's poll crisis

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"Mugabe will be able to be sworn in as president and then he'll go around saying I'm the legitimate leader of Zimbabwe, yet of course the whole world has condemned him," he said.

Mr Biti was arrested two weeks ago and charged with treason, which carries the death penalty. He also has been charged with publishing false statements and insulting the president.

His bail was set at one trillion Zimbabwe dollars, the equivalent of about $200 (£100).

The court said that Mr Biti must remain in his home, hand in his passport and the deeds to his .