Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe met United Nations Special Envoy Haile Menkerios on Tuesday amid international concern over the country's widespread violence, just 10 days ahead of the a run-off presidential election.

Menkerios, UN assistant secretary general for political affairs responsible for Africa, arrived in Zimbabwe on Monday to evaluate the political situation of the southern African country, AFP said. Details of the meeting with incumbent president Mugabe were not disclosed.

The visit by Menkerios comes amidst a rapidly deteriorating economic, social and political crisis in Zimbabwe including widespread violence in which some 60 opposition leaders have been killed while dozens have been arrested.

Opposition Movement for Democratic Change Secretary General Tendai Biti is currently in jail with the police saying he will be charged with treason. Party leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been arrested and released without charge five times.

Menkerios's visit, which is set to continue until Friday, follows talks between UN chief Ban Ki-moon and Mugabe on the sidelines of a food summit in Rome earlier this month.

Ki-moon also urged Mugabe to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered. The country's government has suspended all aid work after accusing non-governmental organizations of taking sides with the opposition, causing charities to warn of a potential crisis as Zimbabwe faces the world's highest inflation rate and food shortages.

Mugabe is battling to keep his 28-year hold on power in a country suffering economic collapse.

Official results of a disputed election March 29 showed Tsvangirai beat Mugabe, but not by enough votes to avoid a run-off.

Zimbabwe