Berlin - Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's withdrawal from Friday's run-off election against President Robert Mugabe is a serious blow to the country and the entire region, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Monday.

Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, said on Sunday that he was not contesting the vote because of state-sponsored violence against his supporters.

In a statement, Steinmeier said he was deeply concerned at the background to the decision.

"Where people have to fear for their lives because they vote for the opposition then democracy is a farce," the minister said.

"I appeal to those in power in Zimbabwe to stop using violence and intimidation as a political instrument and create conditions in which human rights are respected and economic progress is possible," he added. (dpa)