The European Union is preparing to expand the list of Zimbabwean officials who are barred from traveling to EU countries. Tendai Maphosa has more in this report for VOA from London. European Union foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg have issued a statement expressing strong concern at what they called the rapidly deteriorating human rights, political and economic situation in Zimbabwe.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is calling on the European Union to impose tougher sanctions on Zimbabwe. Mr. Blair told parliament Wednesday that Britain plans to push the EU to widen sanctions introduced in 2002, and extend an asset freeze and travel ban on top Zimbabwean officials.