Zimbabwe elections will be held between July and September 2012: Tsvangirai

Zimbabwe will definitely hold elections next year 2012, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said.

He joined a unity government with President Robert Mugabe's party two years ago after disputed polls in 2008.

Mr Mugabe had earlier pushed for elections to be held this year, but rights activists have been worried about reports of increased political harassment of his opponents.

The prime minister said he was confident they could be free and fair.

Mr Tsvangirai said that the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc), the regional body which negotiated the power-sharing agreement, is working on a "road map" for the presidential and parliamentary elections.

"The election will be conducted in the third quarter of 2012 given the fact that are certain bench marks that have to be fulfilled," Mr Tsvangirai said on South Africa talk show radio 702.

These included the finalising of a new constitution, holding a referendum on the new document and agreeing to a date for the polls, he said.

He added that the road map would ensure the outcome would be respected.