SBS Dateline | Interview with Morgan Tsvangirai

Dateline speaks with Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai about the election.

Last week, the opposition leader stood down as leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, saying his presence in the election would only result in more violence from vigilantes loyal to President Robert Mugabe.

With Mugabe showing no sign of stepping down, the leader for the Movement for Democratic Change told Dateline the election has escalated to a war and his party has chosen to cut all involvement.

"This is not an election – it's war – and we don't want to be apart of it", he told Dateline.

Tsvangirai told George Negus that Mugabe is behind all the bloodshed and violence and is 100% responsible.

"He has always maintained the position that he doesn't want interference .... but the man is actually liable for the violence that has been unleashed in the people", Mr Tsvangirai said.

He's has urged the United Nations to isolate President Mugabe and called for a peacekeeping force in Zimbabwe, where Mugabe supporters have carried out violent attacks on political opponents.

Mr Tsvangirai believes the only way President Mugabe will step down is if he bows to pressure, both from the international community and his generals.

"So if the whole world is now condemned him and other African leaders say 'see look, this is the end of the game' I don't think that he will proceed," he added.

On air: 25th June 2008