The Security Council, in its 15-0 vote, declared that the results of the initial March 29 presidential balloting "must be respected." Zimbabwe's election commission ruled that Tsvangirai had received the most votes in that election but not an absolute majority needed to avoid a runoff. Tsvangirai has said he won with more than 50% of the vote.
The Security Council statement was the result of hours of negotiation that overcame South Africa's objections to having the issue on the agenda. British Ambassador John Sawers called the unanimous condemnation "important" and "far-reaching."
Earlier in the day, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice condemned the attacks by Mugabe supporters that she said necessitated Tsvangirai's pullout.
"Yet another vicious assault on the opposition and its supporters for exercising their right to assemble and their right to free speech has reinforced that it is impossible for there to be a free, fair or peaceful election in Zimbabwe on June 27," Rice said in a statement. "The Mugabe regime cannot be considered legitimate in the absence of a runoff."
African Union Chief Executive Jean Ping expressed "grave concern" about the violence in Zimbabwe and Tsvangirai's pullout.
Tsvangirai had left Zimbabwe soon after the first round of voting, citing a security threat. He delayed his return to campaigning because of alleged intelligence about a possible assassination plot. Since his return to Zimbabwe, Tsvangirai has been repeatedly harassed, detained or arrested by police, and his campaign car was impounded.
His deputy, Tendai Biti, was arrested on his return and faces treason charges, which carry the death penalty. Some 85 opposition activists and officials have been killed, and about 3,000 beaten, according to human rights groups.
MDC official Fortune Gwaze, a witness to Monday's police raid on the opposition headquarters, said there had been 1,300 activists sleeping in MDC headquarters, victims and refugees from violence around the country. Most had left the building because of a tip about the raid the previous night.
"Everybody's life is under threat, especially the leaders," said one opposition official based at MDC headquarters who requested anonymity, saying police were searching for him. "They want my head here. Everybody's in hiding."
Ruling party officials Monday told The Times they feared that the opposition election boycott would fuel pressure on the regime and lead to tougher international sanctions.
