U.S. embraces Zimbabwe arms embargo

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The U.S. joined calls Thursday for an arms embargo against Zimbabwe as the Chinese weapons shipment that sparked an uproar turned for home, shunned by ports in Southern Africa.

Armed young militias known as "green bombers" and war veterans have been attacking opposition activists and supporters in rural areas of Zimbabwe, according to human-rights organizations and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

Britain has urged an international arms embargo against Zimbabwe because of the violence, and Thursday South African Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu and the top U.S. diplomat on Africa, Jendayi Frazer, joined the call.

China's Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that the ship carrying ammunition and weapons was returning home after failing to unload.

President Robert Mugabe's government appears increasingly isolated. Many of Zimbabwe's neighbors in Southern African countries are opposed to transit of the weapons. The South African government was willing to let them pass, but transport was thwarted by a court challenge and a blockade by trade unions.

The results of March 29 presidential elections remain secret nearly a month after the vote. According to an independent projection based on 5 percent of the vote, opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change won more votes than Mugabe but not enough to avoid a runoff.

Human-rights activists and doctors estimate the number of assaults against opposition- party supporters or activists at between 330 and 490, and they claim that 10 people have been killed. They have not provided details.

At a Pretoria news conference Thursday, Frazer said it was clear that Mugabe had lost the election.