Commonwealth leaders have delayed a decision on whether to suspend Zimbabwe from the 54 member organization because of pre-election violence in the southern African country.

Meeting in the eastern Australian resort town of Coolum Monday, Commonwealth leaders agreed to set up a three-nation committee to evaluate Zimbabwe's March 9 and 10 election and take action, if the balloting is not free and fair.

In a statement, the leaders expressed deep concern about "incidents of violence and intimidation" before the election and called on all parties to refrain from violence.

The decision came after African leaders strongly objected to calls by Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to suspend Zimbabwe immediately. On Sunday, Zimbabwe's Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said nations pushing for suspension, were basing their actions on racism.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and his strongest challenger, Morgan Tsvangirai, are headed into their final week of campaigning. The 78-year-old Mr. Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence from Britain in 1980.

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