No oil, no invasion to help them out it's all very simple. Back in the gulf Kuwait was also a nasty little dictatorship that Amnasty international was crying out against, we went to help them, because they had oil. If we wanted Mugabe sorted he could have just been arrested in Italy, he got dinner!

Andy, Newcastle, UK

The Heading is abit misleading. Anyway I wonder how the US Republicans would react if foreign diplomats openly support the Democrats and while doing so also defy the US police or security. Were not the UK/US diplomats acting beyond diplomatic immunity in a foreign land said to be undemocractic.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

If ever there was a reason for regime change, this is it. After all, countries have been invaded for less!

KWC, West Yorkshire,

Most African nations are corrupt... they will not turn on their own!
Their values are different to ours. Europe is stretched now with its military around the world. The USA and Indian military had bad experience in Somalia getting butchered. Rwanda blood bath - we all knew and turned a blind eye.

Martin Sansone, Nottingham, UK

Mugabe and his tyrants were set up by Britain and US in the 80s. When Mugabe slaughtered the opposition, nothing was said, but overlooked as expediant. Why after the world has been toothless will the dictator change his ways. The dictator will win as good men do nothing!

dave, Johannesburg, South Africa

I've just read a report that there are 2 trillion barrels of oil under Zimbabwe!

Stephen, St. Ives, England

Tanvir , Bombay , India

Brother Tanvir, You are absolutely right. We have identical opinion of the West. Perhaps their governments are trying to hide the problems they have at home. The economic situation in the USA is worse than thought. Worsening unemployment!

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

To Posters who called on d West to take action on Zim. Tell me what right hv u got? U know very well UN will not give u d green light b'cos u will not get enough votes. Even if d Allies do as u asked, how many deaths would occur. Yes drop bombs, use cruise missiles! U like it only Zim deaths!

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Lim, Malyasia--Tyler is right in this sense--Saddam was removed because the US believed he had WMD. And he had had at one time.

What you and others like you keep ignoring is that EVERY major intelligence agency in the world -- US, UK, France, Russia, Israel and others -- thought Saddam had WMD

Terry L. Walker, Ladson, SC / USA

Jill, Johannesburg--Sanctions only worked in SA because every nation in world jumped on that bandwagon to bring down a white goernment--including the other African nations and Russia, China, et al. In this case, the other African nations as well as Russia and China are not going to join sanctions.

Terry L. Walker, Ladson, SC / USA

Tyler, Springfield, MO

America removed Saddam for WMD?? Mr.Tyler, until today US cannot find any WMD in Iraq! They removed Saddam b'cos he was anti-West and he would not allow the West access to Iraqi Oil. So now a puppet Govt has been set up but the trouble has not ended for the West yet.

Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia

America removed Saddam for WMD's, not because he was ruthless to his people. Why would America want to remove another dictator? Today, you all want Mugabe to be removed from power. Tommorow you will be screaming America's the real threat to world peace. Guess what, in war people die!

Tyler, Springfield, MO

Instead of wringing their hands, why don't Western countries and the UN impose economic sanctions and also stop arms sales to Zim? It worked quite well in South Africa..

Jill, Johannesburg,

The logistics of attacking Zimbabwe are not that complex:
Option 1) Fire cruise missiles from the Indian Ocean.
Option 2) Use American bases in Botswana
Option 3) Mozambique quite sensibly wants a good relationship with Britain. Pay them to fly over their air space from the Indian Ocean.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

The Zimbabwe problem can only be solved by a first world army. The war veterans and other militia there should be neutralised. The best time to do it is now when Mugabe himself is still in power. If Mnangagwa takes over on Mugabe's death as is likely, the problem will continue for longer.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Mugabe wants the Brits and Americans out of the country so that he can manipulate the forthcoming election. He thinks he can intimidate all and sundry and I am profoundly sorry for the Zimbabweans whose lives he has destroyed.

leila , manchester, uk

Can you imagine if we sent soldiers in?! White soldiers fighting black Africans? The Guardian and Independent would have a field day accusing us of being racist murderers. As depressing as it sounds, we should just leave them to their own devices and concentrate on matters closer to home.

Dylan, London,

How much money is the west sending to Zimbabwe in overseas aid? I think the UK is still sending aid. We should turn off the tap and so should all the Western countries, and also to all the countries that support Mugabe. See how long he lasts then

c chapman, corridonia, italia

Call China's bluff... UK and US should promise to boycott the Olympics unless China publically denounces Mugabe's behaviour

Richard M, Cambridge, UK

Why interfere in other countries matter , why is the US & UK hellbent on creating trouble where ever they want , do they have a moral authority to do that , is it GOD given , do they have a license to do it , why do they even think of invading other countries , are they the POLICEMEN of the world .

Tanvir , Bombay , India

If Britain issues an arrest warrant for Mugabe, isn't Italy, as a member of the EU, legally bound to arrest Mugabe?

Then lawyers can spend the next several months arguing whether he has Presidential immunity (after all, he just lost the election). Once the arguments are out, he'll be deposed anyway

Alex, Tunbridge Wells,

Yes, the British & US gov. created the conditions that allowed Mugabe into power; a power which he has abused for years. African govs. response has been predictable -they've all got their snouts in the feeding trough. International intervention is all that will bring change to this murderous regime.

Norman, East Grinstead,

Any of you armchair generals got any idea how difficult it would be to invade a land locked African country, surrounded on all sides by sympathetic states who would deny you flyover rights and resist a land incursion?

Though not!

Homer, London,

Invade already! Seize Mugabe, send him off to the Hague to be tried for crimes against humanity and let the zimbabweans have a chance at a normal life.

Lisa, London,

The time has come for action on Mugabe - if South Africa will not send an invasion force to deal with him, then NATO should do so, and the UN should impose punitive sanctions on South Africa.

Chris Robinson, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

The UN sucks up to Mugabe and other African governments look and learn, to see what they can do to their own citizens and get away with it. One has to hope that Zimbabweans have the courage to vote for Morgan Tsvangirai.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

To those of you who say we should go in and sort it out, given that Zimbabwe is land-locked, which African country will be the first to allow us to fly over its airspace? Can you really see that happening? Second, how do we know that we will not replace one dictator with another? This is Africa.

Paul, Hong Kong,

People don't realise how crazy the Zimbabwe govt is. A very senior official said to me, "If they [the US] come in here, we'll wipe them out. They know that, and that's why they don't try". And he was quite straight-faced. I am quite sure that's what Mugabe and Chiwenga, the army chief, think.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Why is that none of the neighboring countries condeming Mugabe? It is a disgrace, Africa should be ashamed. Whatever the reasons money, power or elections someone should take a stance against this dictatorship.

Richard Smart, Portsmouth, UK

Please Mr Bush and Brown, don't wait for Mugabe to make the next move. Seize the initiative now. His next move is likely the expulsion of western diplomats. The diplomats should continue to investigate violence, but next time a US military helicopter should fly in from neighbouring Botswana bases.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

If everyone was serious about getting rid of Mugabe, one carefully placed bomb would be all that was needed. I dont think that you would have to many complaints from the African nations or the rest of the world as they seem to be doing nothing about it anyway. Then see Zimbabwe grow again.

Jonathan, Boro, England

Why don't the USA and UK invade and liberate Zimbabwe as they have done in Iraq? Is this not the same reason they gave for ultimately removing Saddam.

Lets just spread a rumour that there is vast oil reserves in Zimbabwe and then the USA will actually do something to get rid of Mugabe.

joe, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Treaty of Westphalia established the idea of 'sovereignty' where states can do what they like with impunity. So watching diplomats undergoing some form of stress is not without its amusing side. Who decided that Tony Blair would be appointed panjandrum for the Middle East? Not the British voter!

Brian Lewis, Manila, Philippines

Its all very well saying invade but America and the UK has its hands full with Afghanistan and Iraq. I find it absolutely outrageous that countries still entertain Mugabe how on earth can he be invited to a summit on the food crisis some politicians need their heads examining.

A. Green, Stretford, Manchester

Paul of Ireland is spot on. The weak and lily livered response of the neighbouring African countries is a disgrace.

Richard, Melbourne, Australia

Remember, British friends, you created Mugabe -- the great liberal hope. White rule ended and in the jockying for power the main rival and his supporters ended up murdered. US and UK will do nothing but bluster--UN will do nothing at all.

One wishes Theodore Roosevelt was in charge now

Terry L. Walker, Ladson, SC / USA

The West (NATO) was quite content to invade Bosnia where there were less genocidal massacres than to be seen in Zimbabwe today. Now, western leaders are too timid and afraid of "insensitivity". Playing Pontius Pilot, they wash their hands and defer to African nations willing to prop up despots.

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

South African outrage is badly needed. While it's just Europe and America condemning Zimbabwe, Mugabe can use that to his advantage.... Is Africa condemned to have leaders like this forever?
Come on Africa!, it's time to stand up and say this isn't on!!

Paul, Ireland,

David Diggins, Derby - So What? They both have the same outcome. Even if the police didn't hold the machetes the 'war veterans' behind them certainly did. When you live in Africa you learn that the term mob mentality can take on a horrifying meaning, believe me it's pure dumb luck it didn't go v bad

Bill, Harare, Zimbabwe

Mugabe is in Rome. Ground his plane or refuse to refuel it for his return journey.

Derek Nesbit, York, England

If ever there was acase for a world ploice force & the disbanding of the eunuch UN which does nt justify its existence & costs the world a fortune - very bad value for money

Richard, Bucharest,

For a country to rough up accredited diplomats is outrageous. This is a great opportunity for the affected countries to remove Mugabe without going through the UN. This is a great opportunity for Gordon Brown to lift up his poll ratings! Zimbabwe is a piece of cake compared to Iraq!

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Just as many are now questioning the undemocratic EU, with lavish expenses for the few and untold cost for the many with negative results, so it is with the UN.

The UN is mainly an organisation of dictators concerned only with deals and expenses for delegates which does more harm than good. Leave

George Ball, Diss,

If what Saddam Hussein was doing was justification enough for the US to invade Iraq, what more evidence does the government need before the UK Armed Forces have mandate to invade Zimbabwe and depose this monster?

David, Norfolk, Virginiaa, USA

"Slashed their tires".
We get led to believe the Zimbabwe Police pulled out huge machete's and slashed the tires up.
Not so, they just threw down some 'stinger' type tire deflating device that punctured the tires.
ANOTHER case of the British government,TV media and newspapers distorting the facts.

David Diggins, Derby., England.

Unfortunately Peter, it will need atrocities that even the African Union find sickening before anything is done. The US and UK are gun shy in Africa knowing that unless they or the UN are invited in to sort the mess out the whole continent will turn against any unilateral peace keeping attempt.

Mike, Sydney, Australia

This time the UN had better figure out the exit strategy for this one before even contemplating the entry strategy.

Scott, Durham, NC, USA

So do something!

Marc, Antrim,

If there was ever any justification for the invasion of Iraq - which I believe ther was; it was just the planning for the aftermath that was at fault - then someone has got to go in and save the Zimbabweans from this megamaniacal lunatic.

peter close, berwick-upon-tweed, uk

While some of us yearn for heaven, Bob is having his here on earth doing as he pleases not caring what us mortals do or say.Why not?America and the Uk are coining an array of what is not acceptable but are ineffectual. On Thursday's security council Mbeki if need be China will save Mugabe yet again

Chihanyahimati, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Hopefully everyone can see for themselves what else the Zimbabwe government can do to ordinary people if they can do this to accredited diplomats. When will the west learn to stop dithering and take swift action against dictators? Reagan hit Gadaffi without a UN resolution. It can be done again.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Reading this makes me sick to my stomach, but also an immense awe and respect for the diplomats, aid agency workers and foreign workers staying in this broken country in the face of such hatred, fear and intimidation. Not many could stay and do what they do.

Rachel, Melbourne, Australia

Bring crimes against humanity and genocide charges against the whole of the Zimbabwean government. It is the only way to deal with them.

Stephen, St. Ives, England