Zimbabwe slammed a US decision to ban its exports of uncut diamonds, saying claims of the gems being extracted by forced labour at a major mining area had a "political agenda". Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi was reported saying that have never had anyone, let alone children, forced to work in Marange diamond fields.

Zimbabwe has one of the best labour laws, which don't allow the practise of forcing people to work against their will, a report said.

Last week, rough diamonds from Zimbabwe on allegations of forced labour were banned from entering the American soil and US authorities issued a withhold release order preventing the parcels from entering the country.

Tensions have been brewing between the two countries since 2003, when America first imposed sanctions on politicians and state companies.

Zimbabwe has been subject to an economic crisis since 2008 and the recent actions by the US have been seen as another excuse to maintain the sanctions.