Britain is vowing to press for action against Zimbabwe, one day after China and Russia vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution that would have imposed U.N. sanctions against the African nation.
 

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe (file photo)

The office of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Saturday announced that Mr. Brown will urge European Union action against President Robert Mugabe's government.

Mr. Brown is expected to discuss new EU measures with partners who gather for a Paris summit beginning Sunday.

The prime minister's office said Mr. Brown will propose travel bans on President Mugabe and action against companies owned by his allies.

The United States and Britain criticized China and Russia for vetoing the proposed U.N. sanctions on Friday.

The resolution called for an arms embargo on Zimbabwe and financial and travel restrictions on Mr. Mugabe and 13 others following violence leading up to a widely-condemned presidential vote last month.

Zimbabwe praised the veto as a victory over international racism and meddling.

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai addresses the media in Harare, 02 Jul 2008

Mr. Mugabe's ruling party and the party of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai met Thursday and Friday to lay the groundwork for talks on ending Zimbabwe's political turmoil.
 
President Mugabe was re-elected in a one-candidate race after Mr. Tsvangirai withdrew days before the vote.  The opposition leader said he dropped out, because more than 100 of his supporters had been killed in state-sponsored violence.

Russia said the U.N.'s mandate did not apply to Zimbabwe's political crisis because it did not pose an international threat.  China said the measure would hurt ongoing talks between Zimbabwe's ruling and opposition parties.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.