As renewed clash looms between the Mozambique government and the Renamo rebel, neighbouring Zimbabwe has urged the warring factions to sheate their swords and respect the 1992 peace deal.

Disclosing this, the Zimbabwe’s deputy Foreign Minister Christopher Mutsvangwa said he would not support resurfaced civil war in Mozambique anylonger.

The Renamo movement, thought to have about 1,000 fighters as well as 51 MPs, ended the peace accord signed in 1992, on Monday.

Mr Mutsvangwa said Renamo should rejoin the political process, not threaten regional stability.

Mutsvangwa said: "Southern Africa will not countenance this. We simply do not need this in this region at this juncture.

He added that regional body Sadc (Southern African Development Community) would consider sending troops to help the government if the security situation deteriorated.

"It will be misguided for Renamo to bring instability and expect Zimbabwe to watch," he said.