U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour is urging the political leaders in Zimbabwe to restrain from violence as the country awaits an official announcement about the results from the March presidential election between incumbent Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, the United Nations reported.

Arbour cited the growing number of reports about threats, intimidation and violence in the post-election atmosphere in Zimbabwe. She says the overall humanitarian and political situation in the country has grown worse in the last month.

"I am particularly concerned about reports of threats, intimidation, abuse and violence directed against non-governmental organizations, election monitors, human rights defenders and other representatives of civil society," Arbour said in a statement. "If tolerance and respect for human rights continue their steep decline, the consequences will be grave for all Zimbabweans, and lead to further problems for neighboring States."