I am very pleased that General Abubakar has agreed to head up the collective effort

Don McKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary General

Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon said the first observers would arrive in Zimbabwe later this week, followed by a main group of about 40 monitors later this month.

General Abubakar, who was Nigerian head of state until 1999, previously led a Commonwealth mission which oversaw parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe in June, 2000.

Mugabe conditions

After coming under international pressure, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has said he will allow Commonwealth and European Union observers, as long as they do not include any British members.

General Abubakar headed observers at Zimbabwe's June 2000 elections

Mr Mugabe has accused Britain of supporting the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

The EU says it is still awaiting an official invitation from Zimbabwe to send observers and will impose selective sanctions on Zimbabwe if it does not allow its monitors to deploy.

The first of a group of 150 European observers is expected to arrive in Zimbabwe later this week.

Commonwealth demand

The Commonwealth has insisted that all political parties must be allowed to campaign freely in the run-up to the elections on 9-10 March.

Tsvangirai poses a serious threat to Mugabe's 22-year rule

The Zimbabwean Government recently pushed a series of laws through parliament stifling opposition to President Mugabe and restricting the freedom of the media.

Mr Mugabe faces the toughest challenge to his 22-year rule from the MDC.

The MDC says about 100 of its supporters have been killed in the past two years by activists from Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party.