EU suspends sanctions against most Zimbabwe officials

The European Union has suspended sanctions against 81 officials and eight firms in Zimbabwe.

The decision followed a "peaceful, successful and credible" referendum on a new constitution earlier this month, the EU said in a statement.

However, sanctions will remain in force against Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and 10 of his top aides, an EU source told Reuters news agency.

ESO: Background Information: Council conclusions on Zimbabwe. Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Brussels, 18.2.2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-zimbabwe-foreign-afffairs-council-meeting-brussels-18-february-2013/

EUObserver, 28.03.13: Zimbabwean officials free to travel to EU http://euobserver.com/foreign/119621

---