Zimbabwe's opposition is suspicious of the motives for the recount

African leaders and the UN must act to ensure democracy triumphs in Zimbabwe, says a key opposition figure.

MDC secretary general Tendai Biti said Zimbabwe was now "in a war situation" following disputed polls on 29 March.

He said 10 people had been killed, hundreds injured and thousands displaced in post-election violence.

After a request from the ruling party, electoral officials are conducting a partial recount of the parliamentary vote, won by the MDC.

Votes are being recounted in 23 constituencies, a process election officials say could take more than three days to complete.

Three weeks after polls were held, the presidential result is still unknown.

The opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai - who has fled the country - insists he won the presidential vote outright, and has demanded that the results be released.