HARARE, Zimbabwe, May 15 , SPA -- The presidential runoff betweenPresident Robert Mugabe and opposition leader MorganTsvangirai will be held by July 31, election officials said_ but the opposition insisted Thursday that it should benext week, according to AP. An official government notice issued late Wednesdayextended the deadline for holding the runoff to 90 days _beyond the legally required 21 days _ after the release ofelection results, The Herald newspaper, a governmentmouthpiece, reported Thursday. Tendai Biti, secretary-general for Tsvangirai's Movementfor Democratic Change, called that decision«irresponsible.» «This country cannot afford 90 days» of more violenceand instability and deteriorating economic conditions, hesaid Thursday. The electoral commission notice said Justice MinisterPatrick Chinamasa is empowered under election laws toextend the original 21-day period for a runoff to 90 days. The original 21 days would end May 24. The opposition hascalled for a runoff on May 23. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/556168