idential runoff and will soon return to his homeland. Morgan Tsvangirai, addressing reporters in the South African capital, said his supporters would feel "betrayed" if he did not face Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in the runoff.
"I am ready and the people are ready for the final round," he said.
"I intend to return within the shortest period of time. I shall return to Zimbabwe to begin a victory tour," he said. No date has been set but aides said Tsvangirai would return in the next two days.
Tsvangirai maintains he won the first round outright and that official figures showing a second round was necessary were fraudulent.
Opposition officials and independent human rights activist have accused Mugabe of orchestrating violence against the opposition since the first round on March 29. The violence, and the need to try to rally support, have kept Tsvangirai and other top opposition figures out of Zimbabwe since the first round.
Observers inside and outside Zimbabwe have questioned whether a second round could be free and fair with the opposition unable to campaign freely because of attacks and threats. Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF, meanwhile, has already launched its runoff campaign.
Tapiwa Mudiwa, a 26-year-old supporter of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, was skeptical Saturday.
"How are we going to campaign in the runoff as MDC supporters?" Mudiwa said in Harare, the Zimbabwean capital. "We can't wear MDC T-shirts. We fear we can't even go for rallies. Cars are being burned."
In Pretoria, South Africa, Tsvangirai acknowledged the risks, but said his consultations with a wide range of Zimbabweans had convinced him they wanted him to run.
"They believe that we as a nation are brave enough, we are strong enough and we are angry enough to fight an election once again," he said. "A runoff election could finally knock out the dictator for good."
No runoff date has been set. Tsvangirai said Saturday it should be held within 21 days of the May 2 announcement of presidential results, but Zimbabwean government officials have said the electoral commission has up to a year to hold the vote.
Tsvangirai said the runoff should be held free of violence and monitored by regional peacekeepers, with unfettered access for international observers and journalists, many of whom were barred during the first round. He also said a new electoral commission should be established for the vote. These are "the optimum conditions" under which the runoff should be held.
"But on the other hand we have stated that we are going to run," he said at the news conference, which also was attended by other top officials of his party.
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