"Zanu-PF will never accept any conditional removal of the illegal sanctions or any self-serving initiatives meant to advance the economic interests of Western nations," party spokesman Rugare Gumbo said.

"Lifting of the illegal sanctions must be unconditional and total. We believe that the current move to partially lift the illegal sanctions is intended to serve the interests of nations that want rough diamonds from our mines."

The comments came after officials said EU foreign ministers had lifted an asset freeze and travel ban against 21 out of 112 Zimbabweans on the EU blacklist and also struck one of 11 firms off it.

The agreement came 48 hours before the expiry of the sanctions against the Zimbabwean government and followed moves towards the adoption of a new constitution.

Gumbo said the partial lifting of sanctions was a Western ploy to divide his party, adding that the sanctions were illegal as they were not approved by the UN.

He said his party would continue to push for the total lifting of the sanctions.

Zimbabwe last week announced it would hold a vote on a new constitution next month and elections in July.