UN 'has Zimbabwe sanctions support'
Western supporters claimed there is now enough support for the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's government.
A vote on a US draft resolution with proposed sanctions is expected later this week.
France's UN Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert told reporters after the 15-nation council met to discuss Zimbabwe: "It's obvious there is global support for tougher measures."
Mr Ripert said Zimbabwe's crisis poses a threat to international peace and security, a requirement for the council's involvement, "due to the massive violation of human rights".