(BRUSSELS) - The European Union condemned Friday Zimbabwe's pre-election ban on activities by non-governmental organisations and called for it to be lifted.

"The presidency condemns the instructions issued by the government of Zimbabwe to suspend all NGO field operations in Zimbabwe immediately and without further notice," EU president Slovenia said in a statement.

"The decision will affect many Zimbabweans for whom their support is vital," it said.

Europe's top relief official said: "This ban must be lifted right away."

"I am deeply distressed to think that hundreds of thousands of people who depend on aid from the European Commission and others for their very survival now face an even more uncertain future," Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel said.

"It is essential that relief workers be given unrestricted and secure access so they can provide assistance to the most vulnerable."

The Zimbabwean government has said that all non-governmental organisations wishing to operate in the country would have to reapply for accreditation and promise not to interfere in domestic politics.

The European Union also expressed concern about the detention Friday of Zimbabwe opposition chief Morgan Tsvangirai, for the second time in a week.

"The Presidency of the European Union expresses serious concern about the detention of Morgan Tsvangirai for the second time whilst campaigning," the statement said.

Officials with Tsvangirai's party said he was initially turned back at a police checkpoint in the south of the country on his way to address a group of mineworkers and told he did not have permission to campaign in the area.

After circumventing the checkpoint and making a couple of unscheduled campaign stops, his entourage were again halted and this time escorted by officers armed with assault rifles to Esigodini police station.

He and his top aides were held there for some two hours of questioning.

Zimbabwe is to stage a run-off presidential election in three weeks' time when Tsvangirai is hoping to topple longtime head of state Robert Mugabe.

The European Commission is the biggest aid donor to Zimbabwe, providing 90.7 million euros (141.4 million dollars) last year in humanitarian assistance and other support to its population.

Michel said: "It is essential to remember that all humanitarian relief efforts are based upon the principles of independence, neutrality and impartiality."

"Further clarification from the Zimbabwean authorities is needed on the claims of inappropriate actions by certain relief organisations so that humanitarian operations can be restored in full without further delay."

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