British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for the Group of Eight leaders gathered in northern Japan to send a strong message to Zimbabwe.

Mr Brown's comment came as the G8 nations, along with seven African head of states, met on the first day of the three-day summit to discuss issues such as the political crisis in Zimbabwe as well as rich nations' aid pledges to Africa.

During a meeting with Japan's prime Minister, Mr Brown said the G8 should send a strong message so as to ensure that democracy in Zimbabwe will be protected.

Japan has also agreed that the G8 nations should send a strong message.

And the US President George W Bush says he is "extremely disappointed" with Zimbabwe's "sham" election.

He was talk after meeting African leaders on the margin of the Grou pf Eight Summit in Japan.

President Bush says he cares deeply about the people of Zimbabwe, and is extremely disappointed in the election, which he labelled a sham election.

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