The pro-government Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice has urged President Robert Mugabe to declare a state of emergency to quell escalating violence.

The group blames Western nations and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change formation of Morgan Tsvangirai for a surge in post-election violence. Most observers say ZANU-PF and the government have orchestrated the violence.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice Chief Advocate Martin Dinha told reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that Mugabe's government is under siege.

But Retired Zimbabwe Defence Forces Lt. Col. Martin Rupiya of the British-based Cranfield University Center for Security Sector Management told reporter Zulu that an undeclared state of emergency already exists across Zimbabwe.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...