CORRECTS REFERENCE TO THE DATE OF THE ELECTIONS Zimbabwean police officers take part in a pass-out parade attended by President Robert Mugabe, not pictured, in Harare, Thursday, June, 13, 2013. Zimbabwe's prime minister says has received a letter from the President Robert Mugabe saying elections will go ahead on July 31. The communication is the latest development in a standoff between the two leaders over when to hold the long-awaited vote. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Thursday that Mugabe should have shown "mere courtesy" by consulting him on the issue. Mugabe was forced by regional leaders to form a coalition government with former opposition leader Tsvangirai after violent and disputed elections in 2008. The longtime president he is abiding by a court ruling calling for the vote to go ahead. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
June 13, 2013 - 7:44 AM
HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's longtime president has officially announced that elections will go ahead next month despite opposition from the prime minister.
In an official government notice Thursday, President Robert Mugabe said that he was empowered to set the presidential election for July 31.
Legislative and local elections will also take place that day, he said.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has strongly objected to holding elections next month, accusing Mugabe of choosing the date unilaterally.
Tsvangirai has said that he will not accept Mugabe's decision, which he described as a "provocation."
Mugabe was forced into a power-sharing agreement with Tsvangirai following violent, disputed elections in 2008.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013