Activists have staged a sit-in protest against Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and his regime at the country's embassy in London.

About ten men and women took park in the demonstration in the building on The Strand at about 9.10am. The protesters were arrested and taken to nearby Charing Cross police station.

The demonstration follows international criticism of the Zimbabwean government for its recent clampdown on the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai was among those assaulted when police broke up a prayer meeting on March 11, his supporters say.

Western powers have vowed to keep up pressure on Mr Mugabe.

Despite threats to Western diplomats should they continue to criticise his government, both Britain and the US have called for more sanctions against Mr Mugabe's iron-fisted regime.

Tony Blair told the Commons that what is happening in the country is "appalling, disgraceful and utterly tragic for the people of Zimbabwe".

Meanwhile, a Tory MP has demanded that Mr Mugabe should be stripped of his honorary knighthood.

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told Andrew Robathan (Blaby) that she believed he still held the honour but she was more concerned for the welfare of the people in the country than "whether or not" he had it.

Mr Mugabe was created an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1994. In 2003 the Foreign Affairs Select Committee called for the honour to be removed.

Mr Robathan accused the Government at Commons question time of being "dilatory and slothful" over Zimbabwe.

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