(BRUSSELS) - The European Union backed Thursday an African bloc's call to postpone the presidential run-off vote in Zimbabwe, saying the results of the poll would not reflect the will of the people.

In a statement, EU president Slovenia also expressed concern about violence that has dogged campaigning for Friday's election, which the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) wants delayed.

"Harassment of the opposition and the campaign of violence in the country have led to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's decision to withdraw from the second round of the presidential elections," the statement said.

"These circumstances cannot credibly lead to a result that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people. Therefore, the presidency expresses its full support to the SADC call for the postponement of the second round of the elections."

The statement also called for an immediate halt to the violence and the release of political prisoners.

Tsvangirai topped the March 29 presidential poll but did not secure the required majority to claim outright victory, according to official results.

His withdrawal from round two amid the violence has left President Robert Mugabe, the 84-year-old hardliner who has held power since independence from Britain in 1980, with a victory by default.

In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel also backed the call.

"The SADC call to suspend the elections is an important message. We call on African leaders to use their influence to find a solution for Zimbabwe," she said after talks with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Sirleaf told reporters that African leaders believed "Zimbabwe should postpone the elections until a compromise has been found between the government and the opposition."

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