UN Fails to Agree on Legitimacy of Zimbabwe Runoff Vote

The UN Security Council failed to unanimously agree to declare Zimbabwe's runoff election illegitimate. South African Ambassador to the UN Dumisani Kumalo effectively derailed the intended adoption of an already drafted council statement rejecting the credibility and legitimacy of Friday's second round vote, which incumbent President Robert Mugabe is certain to win after Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out a few days before the scheduled polling date. Tsvangirai opted out of the race last Sunday, citing a violent ruling party campaign that made it impossible for the poll to be free and fair. [PE]