COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 5  -- Robert Mugabe's time has passed as president of Zimbabwe, considering the crises facing the country, U. S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday

"It's well past time for Robert Mugabe to leave," Rice said during a media availability appearance with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Copenhagen.

Zimbabwe is in the midst of a cholera outbreak in which more than 560 people have died, experienced a "sham election" and a "sham" power-sharing effort between Mugabe and opposition leaders, Rice said.

"(We) are seeing not only the political and economic toll that is being taken on the people of Zimbabwe, but the toll in the humanitarian dimension as this cholera epidemic has broken out," Rice said. "But if this is not evidence to the international community that it's time to stand up for what is right, I don't know what will be."

Rice said the United States is ready to help suffering Zimbabweans because "it is really time for the people of Zimbabwe to have a better future," but, she said, the states in the south African region also must take action.

Rasmussen said the European Union also was prepared to assist the Zimbabwean people but needs to see a clear implementation of the power-sharing agreement.

The prime minister said he agreed with Rice that African countries and regional organizations must take the lead to "put pressure on President Mugabe and his regime." (UPI)