HARARE, June 6, 2008 (AFP) - Zimbabwe's opposition has been barred from staging a series of rallies in Harare after police said they cannot guarantee their leaders' safety, the Movement for Democratic Change party said Friday.

According to a letter signed by a superintendent of police, a copy of which was read to AFP, authorities have based their decision on MDC statements concerning assassination threats.

'Our continued investigations so far have failed to confirm your party's allegations but still we are not prepared to take any chances by exposing you to the public who may be possible assassins,' the letter said.