US says hundreds seeking refuge at its embassy in Zimbabwe
Updated
United States officials in Zimbabwe say hundreds of people have gathered outside the American embassy in Harare seeking refuge.
Paul Engelstad, Public Affairs Officer at the US embassy, says thousands of Zimbabweans have been forced from their homes in a campaign of political violence leading up to last week's presidential re-election of Robert Mugabe.
"There are around 300 people here, a lot of children, a lot of mothers with children and as we understand it there was a raid on MDC Harvest House, MDC's headquarters and these people have no place to go," he said.
"In the aftermath of the elections the beating continues, the persecution of people for their political beliefs."
