London:  The Commonwealth today said it was "deeply disturbed" at continued violence in Zimbabwe and the withdrawal of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change from the presidential run-off.

"The Commonwealth is deeply disturbed at the latest developments and continuing violence in Zimbabwe," said Kamalesh Sharma, the secretary-general of the 53-country bloc of mainly former British colonies.

Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2002 after criticism of previous elections there. It then pre-empted an expected extension by voluntarily withdrawing from the body the following year.

Sharma, an Indian career diplomat who took up the post in April, said as a former member, Zimbabwe and its people were "very much in the Commonwealth s thoughts", as what happens there directly impacts neighbouring member states.

He added that the London-based organisation was "extremely concerned" that a planned run-off between Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe on Friday will now not take place because of unfavourable conditions.

Sharma said in a website statement: "The inalienable right to participate in free and democratic political processes is enshrined in the Commonwealth Principles agreed by Heads of Government in Harare in 1991.

"It is a core value of the Commonwealth, and of neighbouring countries, and is also the right of the people of Zimbabwe.

"The Commonwealth urges the government of Zimbabwe to respect these Principles, adopted in its own capital."

Source : PTI