Botswana called on regional grouping SADC today not to recognise the re-election of Robert Mugabe as president of neighbouring Zimbabwe.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been mediating between Mr Mugabe and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change to try to end the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe.
"As a country that practises democracy and the rule of law, Botswana does not ... recognise the outcome of the presidential run-off election and would expect other SADC member states to do the same," Botswana's Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani said in a statement.
Mr Mugabe won re-election in a June 27th run-off ballot after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of the voting because of attacks on his supporters
The United States said last night it expects the UN Security Council to vote next week on sanctions against Mr Mugabe and top aides in response to last week's widely condemned election.
US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters after a closed-door council session in New York he formally submitted the US-drafted resolution, which also calls for an arms embargo against Zimbabwe, to the full 15-nation council.
"We expect a vote on the resolution sometime next week," Mr Khalilzad said.
Western powers, led by the United States and Britain, are exerting heavy pressure on Mr Mugabe to negotiate with the opposition. But the veteran leader may have some wriggle room.
Security Council diplomats have said South Africa, Russia and China oppose the idea of sanctions, though they said it was not clear if Moscow and Beijing were prepared to use their veto powers given the wide condemnation of Mr Mugabe's re-election.
South African Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo indicated he could not back the US draft, saying the very premise of the resolution was faulty. "The biggest challenge of the resolution is the premise that the problem of the election is a threat to international peace and security," he said.
South African President Thabo Mbeki, the designated mediator in Zimbabwe, is under fire in the region and at home for what is seen as ineffective mediation that favours Mr Mugabe.
Some analysts say Mr Mugabe has embarked on a strategy of wearing down his opponents and of only making concessions to gain breathing space that could delay a resolution to the crisis for years.
Mr Tsvangirai on Wednesday rejected talks on a unity government, saying Mr Mugabe must first end the violence against his supporters and accept him as the rightful election winner.