Brussels- Any unity government in Zimbabwe should be headed by opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and should pave the way for fresh elections, the European Union's 27 member states said Friday.

"The European Union will only accept a formula which respects the will of the Zimbabwean people, as expressed in the elections of 29 March 2008, which saw the MDC and Mr Morgan Tsvangirai win. The result of this vote must serve as a basis for a political settlement," a statement on behalf of the EU's member states said.

"The objective of any solution must be to reconsult the Zimbabwean people on a free, democratic and transparent basis as quickly as possible. Only this can provide a long-term response to the serious difficulties currently being faced in Zimbabwe, which are threatening regional stability," the statement said.

The EU has expressed its alarm at the situation in Zimbabwe in a string of declarations over recent weeks. However, member states have not yet decided whether they should react by strengthening sanctions against the regime of President Robert Mugabe.

The EU "intends to offer its support to the Zimbabwean people, and is prepared to examine any appropriate individual measures against the perpetrators of violence at the earliest possible opportunity," the statement said. (dpa)