He was commenting for the first time on Tsvangirai's refuge at the Dutch Embassy on security grounds.
The two politicians were due to lock horns in a presidential election run-off Fr iday, but Tsvangirai, citing violence and intimidation, pulled out of the race at the weekend and sought refuge at the Dutch Embassy.
"He should get out of the embassy. Nobody wants to kill or harm him," Mugabe tol d a rally in northern Zimbabwe Tuesday.
He said Tsvangirai's withdrawal from the election was to avoid defeat and to tar nish the country's electoral process.
Mugabe hinted the poll would go ahead Friday in spite of his opponent's withdraw al.
The opposition claims pre-election violence has claimed the lives of over 80 of its supporters, blaming this on the government.
The government has denied the claims, and instead accused the opposition of fann ing inter-party clashes to discredit the poll.
Mugabe, who lost the first round presidential poll in March, said he was willing to hold talks with Tsvangirai's party, but only after the elections and on issues pertinent to Zimbabwe.
He said he would resist all foreign election-related pressures, including growin g international calls for Friday's poll to be cancelled.
Banket - 24/06/2008
Pana
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