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Mugabe is sworn in for sixth term Mugabe is sworn in for sixth term
(40 minutes later)
Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a new five-year term as Zimbabwe's president after election officials declared a landslide victory for him.Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a new five-year term as Zimbabwe's president after election officials declared a landslide victory for him.
A 21-gun salute and military jet fly-by greeted Mr Mugabe at the ceremony at his State House residence in Harare. Results showed Mr Mugabe won 85% of the vote, but many ballots were spoiled.
Official results show Mr Mugabe won all 10 provinces, with 85.5% of the vote, but there were many spoiled ballots. After the ceremony, Mr Mugabe called for talks with the opposition, whose leader withdrew from the run-off vote citing violence against his supporters.
He was the only candidate to run after the opposition boycotted the vote amid claims of state-sponsored violence. But southern African election observers said the poll had "failed to reflect the will of the people".
A statement from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) said that pre-election violence and intimidation of voters had "impinged the credibility of the vote".
'Absolute joke'
Morgan Tsvangirai, who refused to attend the inauguration, said Mr Mugabe now had no option but to negotiate.
OFFICIAL RESULTS Robert Mugabe: 2,150,269Morgan Tsvangirai: 233,000Spoiled ballots: 131,481Voter turnout: 42.37%Source: Zimbabwe Electoral CommissionOFFICIAL RESULTS Robert Mugabe: 2,150,269Morgan Tsvangirai: 233,000Spoiled ballots: 131,481Voter turnout: 42.37%Source: Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
Electoral commission officials said voter turnout had been about 42%, similar to that of the disputed first-round vote in March. In a BBC interview, Mr Tsvangirai - the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said that any negotiation should be based on the result of the first round vote held in March.
Independent observers said many of those who did go to the polls voted out of fear, and that thousands of people had spoiled their ballots by defacing them or marking them inaccurately. Mr Tsvangirai won with 47.9% against 43.2% for Mr Mugabe, falling just short of an outright majority.
He withdrew from the run-off contest last week but his name remained on ballot papers after Zimbabwe's electoral authorities refused to accept his decision.
His party has described Mr Mugabe's appointment as "an absolute joke" as he did not have the mandate of the people.
Spoiled ballotsSpoiled ballots
The hastily organised ceremony confirmed Mr Mugabe's sixth term as president - extending his 28 years in power.The hastily organised ceremony confirmed Mr Mugabe's sixth term as president - extending his 28 years in power.
HAVE YOUR SAY If the UN doesn't intervene this time we are truly damnedRejoice, Bulawayo Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY If the UN doesn't intervene this time we are truly damnedRejoice, Bulawayo Send us your comments
In a speech that followed, Mr Mugabe said he was committed to talks with the opposition to find a solution to the political crisis.In a speech that followed, Mr Mugabe said he was committed to talks with the opposition to find a solution to the political crisis.
"It is my hope that sooner rather than later, we shall, as diverse political parties, hold consultation towards... dialogue as we minimise our differences and enhance the area of unity and co-operation," he said."It is my hope that sooner rather than later, we shall, as diverse political parties, hold consultation towards... dialogue as we minimise our differences and enhance the area of unity and co-operation," he said.
The opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai - who won the first round - said that any negotiation should be based on the result of the March vote. But Mr Tsvangirai told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme: "We believe the 29 March election reflected the will of the people.
He told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme: "We believe the 29 March election reflected the will of the people and that that should be the basis upon which any negotiation... for a transition should be based." "That should be the basis upon which any negotiation... for a transition should be based."
Mr Tsvangirai refused to attend the swearing-in. His Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party described Mr Mugabe's appointment as a big joke as he did not have the mandate of the people.
Mr Tsvangirai withdrew from the contest last week, citing widespread violence and intimidation against his supporters.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaking to Andrew MarrArchbishop Desmond Tutu speaking to Andrew Marr
But his name remained on ballot papers after Zimbabwe's electoral authorities refused to accept his decision. Electoral commission officials said voter turnout had been about 42%, similar to that of the disputed first-round vote.
Independent observers said many of those who did go to the polls voted out of fear, and that thousands of people had spoiled their ballots by defacing them or marking them inaccurately.
President Mugabe is now expected to fly to Egypt to attend an African Union summit which opens on Monday.President Mugabe is now expected to fly to Egypt to attend an African Union summit which opens on Monday.
The BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, the question now is whether Zimbabwe's neighbours will recognise this election result.The BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, the question now is whether Zimbabwe's neighbours will recognise this election result.
An observer team from the Pan-African Parliament has called for fresh elections to be held, saying the vote was not free or fair.An observer team from the Pan-African Parliament has called for fresh elections to be held, saying the vote was not free or fair.
It has urged the regional grouping Sadc and the African Union (AU) to facilitate talks between the government and opposition. It has urged Sadc and the African Union (AU) to facilitate talks between the government and opposition.
International outrageInternational outrage
Earlier, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, appealed to the AU not to recognise Robert Mugabe as president.Earlier, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, appealed to the AU not to recognise Robert Mugabe as president.
Archbishop Tutu told the BBC that Mr Mugabe should have no role in a future government, and said that he would support the deployment of a UN force to restore peace in the country.Archbishop Tutu told the BBC that Mr Mugabe should have no role in a future government, and said that he would support the deployment of a UN force to restore peace in the country.
There has also been international outrage at events in Zimbabwe.There has also been international outrage at events in Zimbabwe.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it was time for strong international action to end the violence in Zimbabwe.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it was time for strong international action to end the violence in Zimbabwe.
Ms Rice, meeting her Chinese counterpart in Beijing, urged members of the UN Security Council to back proposals for an arms embargo and a travel ban on Mr Mugabe's associates.Ms Rice, meeting her Chinese counterpart in Beijing, urged members of the UN Security Council to back proposals for an arms embargo and a travel ban on Mr Mugabe's associates.
It follows President George W Bush's instructions on Saturday to US officials to come up with new sanctions against Zimbabwe.It follows President George W Bush's instructions on Saturday to US officials to come up with new sanctions against Zimbabwe.
The MDC says some 86 of its supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by militias loyal to the Zanu-PF.The MDC says some 86 of its supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by militias loyal to the Zanu-PF.
The government blames the MDC for the violence.The government blames the MDC for the violence.
Are you in Zimbabwe? What do you think should happen now? Tell your experiences by using the form below. Let us know if you would prefer us not to use your real name.Are you in Zimbabwe? What do you think should happen now? Tell your experiences by using the form below. Let us know if you would prefer us not to use your real name.
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