Zimbabwe opposition to take part in presidential runoff

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Morgan Tsvangirai said his supporters would feel "betrayed" if he did not face Mugabe in the runoff. Tsvangirai had said previously he won the first round outright and that official figures showing a second round was necessary were fraudulent.

"I am ready, the people are ready," he told reporters in the capital of neighboring South Africa.

"I intend to return as shortly as possible and intend to begin a victory tour," he said, adding that he expected to return within two days. Aides later said no exact date has been set.

Opposition officials and independent human rights activists have accused Mugabe of orchestrating violence against the opposition since the first round on March 29.

Observers inside and outside Zimbabwe have questioned whether a second round could be free and fair with the opposition unable to campaign freely because of attacks and threats. Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF, meanwhile, already has launched its runoff campaign.

Tapiwa Mudiwa, a 26-year-old supporter of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, was skeptical Saturday.

"How are we going to campaign in the runoff as MDC supporters-" Mudiwa said in Harare, the Zimbabwean capital. "We can't wear MDC T-shirts. We fear we can't even go for rallies. Cars are being burned."

In Pretoria, South Africa, Tsvangirai acknowledged the risks, but said his consultations with a wide range of Zimbabweans had convinced him they wanted him to run.

"They believe that we as a nation are brave enough, we are strong enough and we are angry enough to fight an election once again," he said. "A runoff election could finally knock out the dictator for good."

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