Zimbabwe’s state-run media floated the idea yesterday that Robert Mugabe would annul last month’s presidential election and stay as President of a national unity government while preparations for a new poll are made.

The proposal was put forward in an opinion piece in the Herald newspaper, regarded as a mouthpiece for and barometer of opinion in Mr Mugabe’s ruling Zanu (PF) party.

The idea was condemned by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change as yet another attempt to overturn last month’s election.

It came amid disagreement over a mooted arms blockade against the Mugabe regime. Gordon Brown urged an embargo on all arms exports to Zimbabwe while President Mugabe remains in power. But Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress, who was visiting London, emerged from talks with Mr Brown to say: “I don’t think we’ve reached that stage where we have to call the arms embargo.”

Uncertainty surrounds the arms shipment from China that dockers in South Africa refused to unload last weekend. Chinese officials conceded on Tuesday that they may have to take back the weapons as neighbouring African countries balked at allowing the vessel to dock.

Mr Zuma’s rejection of an arms blockade was an embarrassment for Mr Brown, who had told the House of Commons earlier: “Because of what has happened in South Africa, where there is an arms shipment trying to get to Zimbabwe, we will promote proposals for an embargo on all arms to Zimbabwe.”

British officials said later that Mr Brown was not seeking a United Nations embargo, as Thabo Makgoba, the Archbishop of Cape Town, urged yesterday, but a de facto boycott imposed by Zimbabwe’s neighbours.

The proposal that President Mugabe should lead a government of national unity was written by a pro-Mugabe academic who holds no formal position in the party. He argued that an election would be impossible to hold in the current climate of rising tensions and suggested a transitional government take power while a new constitution was drafted and fresh elections organised.

Nearly four weeks after the poll, presidential results have still not been released and a lengthy recount is under way, apparently aimed at overturning the opposition’s victory in the parliamentary poll.

The recount of one seat, the only one called by the opposition, was concluded yesterday with only one vote allocated differently, keeping the constituency in Zanu (PF)’s hands. Zanu (PF) has called for recounts in 22 constituencies newly lost to the opposition but would require only seven to regain control of Parliament.

There are increasing signs, however, that despite its desperate determination to stay in power, the Government is as yet undecided on exactly how best to do so. Any recount that hands victory to Mr Mugabe will be all but unacceptable even for Zimbabwe’s most supportive neighbours to accept.

“The fact of the matter is that the Zimbabwe people voted in a particular way,” Mr Zuma said yesterday in an interview with Channel 4. “I don’t think it should be acceptable in the democratic culture that even if you lose an election you can stay there by force.”

Zimbabwean security forces and militia loyal to Mr Mugabe have unleashed a brutal campaign of violence against opposition workers and supporters in preparation for a run-off presidential election against Morgan Tsvangirai. At least ten opposition supporters have been killed.

Mr Tsvangirai has said he would accept a power-sharing agreement but not with Mr Mugabe at its head. The South African Army, meanwhile, reported a surge in the number of people fleeing Zimbabwe.

Times Recommends

• Both sides blame US for worsening relations
• Stieg Larsson: losing the plot over his cash
• Odd creature paralysed by incompatible parts