(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission insisted Wednesday that Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai should be named at the head of any new government.

"Any transitional government must include Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister or head of government, with the necessary abilities to ensure reforms can take place," a spokesman said.

The statement came after South African President Thabo Mbeki rejected a similar call Tuesday by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, whose country has just taken over the EU's rotating presidency.

Tsvangirai beat President Robert Mugabe -- the country's leader since independence -- in the first round of the presidential poll held in March, but failed to win an absolute majority.

He withdrew from a second round run-off held last Friday amid spiralling campaign violence.

"It's essential that the will of the Zimbabwean people be reflected, and of course in the first round of the presidential election, Morgan Tsvangirai won a majority of votes with 47 percent," spokesman John Clancy said.

When asked about possible further sanctions against Zimbabwe, he said: "All options are on the table".

The European Union has extensive sanctions in place against Zimbabwe, including an arms embargo and a travel ban on Mugabe and other senior officials.

The EU slapped sanctions on Mugabe and his associates after the long-serving ruler won elections in 2002 which the opposition insists were rigged.

In June last year, the bloc widened the travel ban and assets freeze on Zimbabweans deemed responsible for the country's "rapidly deteriorating human rights, political and economic situation."

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