(BRUSSELS) - The European Union implicitly threatened more sanctions against Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's regime on Friday, saying it stood ready to take further action against those behind the political violence.

In its draft summit conclusions, the EU said it was "deeply concerned" by the surge in violence and intimidation in Zimbabwe ahead of next week's presidential run-off election.

"The European Council reiterates its readiness to take additional measures against those responsible for violence," said the draft document.

The EU "remains deeply concerned by the situation in Zimbabwe and reiterates the need for the upcoming second round of presidential elections on 27 June to be held in a peaceful, free and fair environment in accordance with international norms and standards," the text said.

Mugabe faces Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the oppostion Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), who topped the first round poll.

The EU draft said that violence and intimidation so far in the election build-up served only to "heighten further the fears of the Zimbabwean people and the international community about the conditions under which this poll, crucial for the future of Zimbabwe, will be held.

"Zimbabweans should be allowed to chose their future freely, which will open up the way for delivering political stability to the country," it said.

"A free and fair presidential election is critical to the resolution of the ongoing crisis."

The 27-member bloc regretted that its offer to provide election monitors had been rejected.

The EU called on the Southern African Development Community and the African Union to deploy election monitors in significant numbers "as soon as possible", and to ensure they stayed in place until the electoral process was completed and the results officially declared.

"It is vital that ordinary Zimbabweans vote on election day and their votes are counted swiftly and transparently," the text said.

"The EU stands ready to support and re-engage with a democratic, legitimate and reform-minded government in Zimbabwe," the draft said.

In June 2007, the EU strengthened its 2002 sanctions slapped on Mugabe's regime, citing repression of the opposition and repeated human rights violations.

Britain is the former colonial power in Zimbabwe and has been at the forefront of denouncing the Mugabe regime.

Arriving at the two-day summit Thursday, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "The most important thing when we hear reports about more intimidation and violence is to make sure that the authentic voices of the Zimbabwean people are heard during elections in a week's time."

Meanwhile in Zimbabwe, Mugabe warned he would not leave power until land was returned to the majority black population, state media reported Friday.

MDC secretary general Tendai Biti, the party's number two, was charged with subverting the government on Thursday and faces a potential death penalty, as more violence was reported.

The European Commission, the EU's executive, 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.

European Council

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