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LONDON - A diplomatically sensitive United Nations report assessing whether President Robert Mugabe is acting lawfully in Zimbabwe was delayed from publication yesterday after the intervention of the UN Secretary-General.

The Telegraph has learned that senior staff in Kofi Annan's office said they needed to give final approval to the report, prepared by a special team from the UN Development Programme.

"This report is diplomatic dynamite and needs to be handled very carefully," one diplomat said. It is understood to be the first time the Secretary-General's office has demanded final approval for a report arising out of a UNDP field trip. - Daily Telegraph (UK)