ZIMBABWE yesterday welcomed the failure of a Western-backed UN Security Council resolution to impose sanctions over its violent presidential elections, calling it a victory over racism and meddling in its affairs.

Russia and China on Friday vetoed the resolution, which would have imposed an arms embargo on the southern African country and financial and travel restrictions on President Robert Mugabe and 13 other officials.

The UK government said Russia's veto was "incomprehensible", while Russia said sanctions would have set a dangerous precedent of political interference. Russia, China and regional powerhouse South Africa said the resolution would have hurt dialogue between the ruling Zanu-PF party and the opposition.

"We are very happy with the turn of events and would like to thank those who helped defeat international racism disguised as multilateral action at the UN," said Zimbabwean information minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu.

"The principles of non-interference into the sovereign affairs of a UN member state have been upheld. What has the UN got to do with member states' elections?"

Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai defeated Mugabe in a presidential election in March but failed to get enough votes to avoid a second ballot.

Tsvangirai withdrew from the run-off poll held on June 27, citing attacks on his supporters by pro-Mugabe militia.

The MDC is now in preliminary talks with Zanu-PF under the auspices of South African mediators, but has refused to negotiate a power-sharing deal until the government halts the bloodshed. The MDC says 113 of its supporters have been killed.

South Africa's government applauded the UN decision. "It is our considered view that imposing sanctions would indeed have impacted negatively on the current dialogue process among Zimbabwean political parties," it said in a statement.

Millions of people have fled to neighbouring states to escape an economic meltdown in Zimbabwe, which has led to widespread shortages, 80% unemployment, and inflation estimated to be at least 2,000,000%.

China said the sanctions could undermine the talks and would "complicate" rather than ease the conflict.

Foreign secretary David Miliband said: "It'll appear incomprehensible to the people of Zimbabwe that Russia should stand in the way of action."

The G8, which includes Russia, agreed on Tuesday to impose sanctions because of the violence during the elections. The US ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, accused Russia on Friday of a "U-turn" from its position at the G8 summit, and said it raised doubts about its reliability as a partner in the group.