Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has rejected talks on a unity government, saying President Robert Mugabe must first stop violence and accept him as the rightful election winner.

African leaders at a summit in Egypt on Tuesday urged Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai to begin negotiations to end the crisis over Mr Mugabe's re-election.

The election was widely criticised because it was a one-candidate poll from which Mr Tsvangirai withdrew claiming Mr Mugabe's soldiers had killed opposition supporters.

Mr Tsvangirai said: "Significantly the conditions prevailing in Zimbabwe are not conducive to negotiations. If dialogue is to be initiated, it is essential that ZANU-PF stops the violence, halts the persecution of MDC leaders and supporters."

Mr Tsvangirai also said the MDC should be recognised as the "legitimate government" of Zimbabwe because it received the majority of votes at the first election.

Earlier Mr Mugabe had welcomed the African Union's call for a unity government and said he is ready to talk to the opposition.

But Mr Tsvangirai said any talks would be meaningless unless the AU sent a permanent envoy to expand mediation efforts led by South African President Thabo Mbeki.

The election in Zimbabwe has provoked reaction from around the world.

A draft United Nations resolution has Mr Mugabe and the central bank governor Gideon Gono among 12 people who would face UN asset freezes and travel bans.

The draft said Mr Mugabe should face a ban because he is the "head of government responsible for activities that seriously undermine democracy, repress human rights and disrespect the rule of law."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also said it is time for Mr Mugabe to step down because he "has bloodied his hands."

He said the "only credible" election was the earlier one, in which the opposition MDC "recorded a victory."

And the European Commission has said it supports the AU's call, but it said any transitional government in Zimbabwe must include Mr Tsvangirai as premier.

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