Interim administration needed in Zimbabwe

BRUSSELS, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A neutral, non-partisan transitional government is needed in Zimbabwe or the country may destabilize, a report from the International Crisis Group says.

The report released Tuesday by the independent non-governmental organization says the ongoing political standoff, along with a growing humanitarian and economic crisis, is threatening the stability of Zimbabwe. Officials say that leaders in the country, supported by the international community, must establish a non-partisan transitional administration to avoid a slide into violence, the Crisis Group reported.

The report, titled "Ending Zimbabwe's Nightmare: A Possible Way Forward," says the negotiations over power-sharing in the government have failed. Additionally, agreements to end the use of violence have been violated, forcing as much as a third of the population to flee. Crisis Group officials say the remaining population in Zimbabwe is under threat of a widespread cholera outbreak.

"Zimbabwe urgently needs a credible and competent government able to inspire confidence at home and abroad," Francois Grignon, Crisis Group African program director, said in a statement.

"A non-partisan transitional administration directed by a neutral chief administrator could achieve this."