HARARE, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwe government on Thursday said it objects to the assertion by the United States that its security forces engaged in acts of extrajudicial killings and rape against citizens last year.

It also expressed disappointment over the move by the United States to extend sanctions on the country beyond March 2020, despite its re-engagement efforts to mend ties with the Western country.

"Once again the government of the United States has chosen to strangely characterize Zimbabwe as a country that poses an extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.

"We find this a baffling position. All the Zimbabwean Government asks for is to be allowed space to be a full member of the community of nations transacting without restrictions as other nations do," permanent secretary in the Ministry of information, Nick Mangwana, said in a statement.

In extending the embargo, the United States accused the Zimbabwe government of committing extrajudicial killings and rape against its own citizens last year, as well as failing to implement reforms to stabilize the nation.