Brussels - Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai should lead any government of national unity, European Union officials said in Brussels on Wednesday, without clarifying what the bloc would do if this were not the case.

"It is essential that the will of the Zimbabwean people be reflected. In the first round of the presidential election (on March 29), Morgan Tsvangirai won a majority of votes with 47 per cent," European Commission spokesman John Clancy said.

"That is why any transitional government must include Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister or head of government with the necessary abilities to ensure reforms can take place," he said.

The comment reinforces the EU's line that Friday's presidential election run-off in Zimbabwe, in which incumbent President Robert Mugabe was the only candidate after violence forced Tsvangirai to withdraw, was not a valid vote.

However, Clancy stressed that any sanctions other than the arms embargo and travel bans and asset freezes currently imposed on regime members would have to be decided by EU member states.

"All options are on the table," he said. (dpa)