European Union leaders are set to issue a new threat of further sanctions on Zimbabwe on Friday over violence that has scarred a flawed presidential election, a draft summit statement showed.

"Violence so far, intimidation and action taken against non-governmental organisations to suspend aid and international access to rural areas, heighten further the fears of the Zimbabwean people and the international community about the conditions under which this poll, crucial for the future of Zimbabwe, will be held," it said.

Agencies