Tony Blair yesterday warned African leaders that the crisis in Zimbabwe could undermine their plan for economic recovery.

The blunt statement at the end of the Commonwealth heads of government summit in Australia raised questions about whether the West would remain as committed to improving the continent's economic situation.

"The credibility of my country - investment in my country - does not depend on Zimbabwe. But for Africa it is a major issue on which their credibility and the possibility of investment flows depends," he said.