BRUSSELS -- Foreign Ministers of the European Union met Monday to decide whether to go ahead with sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and his regime, following the weekend expulsion of the EU's chief election observer in Zimbabwe, AFP reported.

Pierre Schori, who is also Sweden's ambassador to the United Nations, was forced to leave Harare on Saturday after his visa to stay in the country was abruptly revoked.

The EU could react by implementing a package of sanctions approved on January 28, which includes a European travel ban on Mugabe and about 20 close associates, and a freeze on their assets.

To do so, however, might trigger the expulsion of about 30 other EU observers already in Zimbabwe -- and ensure that no European eyes are present to witness the hotly contested March 9-10 presidential polls.

"I don't know what will be the decision," Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel told reporters on his way into Monday's meeting. "But I think it is very difficult (for the EU) to be credible without moving on this case."

Schori was to personally brief the foreign ministers, including British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw who has pushed hard for common EU action to ensure free and fair elections.

Monday's meeting was also to give approval for the EU to take over the United Nations police task force in Bosnia from 2003. The foreign ministers will also talk over coffee with visiting Afghan counterpart Abdullah Abdullah.

Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique chaired Monday's meeting as part of his country's turn at the rotating EU Presidency.