ZIMBABWE'S ruling party expects a run-off election and is confident its leader, Robert Mugabe, the president, will retain power.

Delays in the announcement of election results had prompted rumours that Mugabe might step aside, but on Thursday his party declared itself ready for a new battle in the second round.

"From ZANU-PF's perspective, we are very confident that we've got the numbers, when it comes to a re-run, we're ready for that second round, and we are confident that President Robert Mugabe will win this time," Bright Matonga, the deputy information minister, said.  more...