[JURIST] Zimbabwe [JURIST news archive] State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa on Tuesday repeated his threats that government soldiers and police will use deadly force if necessary to thwart any protests organized by opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai [BBC profile]. Mutasa was reported to have made similar statements [ZimOnline report] earlier this month, but has denied promising to use guns against protesters [VOA report].

Tsvangirai and his opposition Movement for Democratic Change [party website] have called for widespread street protests [ZimOnline report] to end the presidency of Robert Mugabe [BBC profile], who has led the country since its independence from the UK 26 years ago. Last week, Mugabe threatened to unleash the "full wrath of the law" [JURIST report] against any groups that oppose his government. ZimOnline has more.