Blair seeks African solution to Zimbabwe crisis

Tony Blair has said that African governments should take action to improve the "disgraceful" situation in Zimbabwe.

The prime minister's comments came as David Cameron said the UK should press other European governments to toughen sanctions against Robert Mugabe's regime.

Blair said the British government would seek further sanctions against the current regime.

And he said that action would also be urged by the United Nations security council.

The prime minister said the current situation was "appalling, disgraceful and utterly tragic for the people of Zimbabwe".

Cameron said key figures in the regime should face tougher sanctions and must be excluded from a planned EU-Africa summit.

Blair responded that "the most important thing for us to do" is to encourage other African countries to take action against Zimbabwe.

"We should do everything we can," he added, saying that Britain was ready to help fund land reform policies.

And he stressed that the solution to Zimbabwe's problems would not come from Britain but would depend on the pressure of other African nations.