Concern over Zimbabwe's children

London, 26 March-(ANA)-UK aid to Zimbabwe is reaching the poor and vulnerable but the plight of children in the country remains a serious concern, MPs have said.

The International Development Committee spent four days in the country.

Its report says limited progress has been made since the power-sharing government took office in 2009 with schools and hospitals re-opening.

EU sanctions against President Mugabe are still needed despite South African pressure to scrap them, the MPs say.

The MPs say Zimbabwe is in a period of fragile transition.

The cross-party committee describes the present government, in which Morgan Tsvangirai shares power with President Mugabe, as anything but satisfactory.

Mr Mugabe still holds the main levers of power, they conclude.

The report says there is still little prospect of free and fair elections, with political violence and intimidation a major problem.(ANA)

FA/ANA/26 March 2010----------