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Mugabe welcomed home by thousands Opposition 'must accept Mugabe'
(40 minutes later)
Thousands of Zimbabweans have greeted President Robert Mugabe on his return from the African Union summit where he defended his controversial re-election. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe says he is open to talks on ending the country's political crisis, provided the opposition accepts him as leader.
"I am the president," he said. "Everybody has to accept that if they want dialogue."
He was speaking in Harare, after returning from an African summit.
The opposition pulled out of last Friday's presidential run-off, citing violence in a campaign that has drawn international condemnation.
Thousands of Zimbabweans greeted Mr Mugabe on his return from the African Union summit, where he defended his re-election.
The supporters were ferried in buses to Harare airport, where they danced and sang election campaign anthems.The supporters were ferried in buses to Harare airport, where they danced and sang election campaign anthems.
Shock
Meanwhile, military police have been seen forcibly closing down ruling party bases in townships used to intimidate people ahead of last week's election.Meanwhile, military police have been seen forcibly closing down ruling party bases in townships used to intimidate people ahead of last week's election.
The opposition has said violence must end before talks on sharing power.The opposition has said violence must end before talks on sharing power.
The African leaders called for a unity government after Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of last Friday's presidential run-off, citing state-sponsored political violence.The African leaders called for a unity government after Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of last Friday's presidential run-off, citing state-sponsored political violence.
Shock
Zimbabwean journalist Brian Hungwe said ruling party Zanu-PF youths mobilised people in the townships around the capital, Harare, to go to the airport to welcome Mr Mugabe home.Zimbabwean journalist Brian Hungwe said ruling party Zanu-PF youths mobilised people in the townships around the capital, Harare, to go to the airport to welcome Mr Mugabe home.
He also says it has come as a shock to many township residents to see the security forces turning against Zanu-PF supporters, beating them up and telling them to shut their bases.He also says it has come as a shock to many township residents to see the security forces turning against Zanu-PF supporters, beating them up and telling them to shut their bases.
It is thought that now that the elections are over, the party wants to get rid of the unpopular bases and disband the militia, he reports.It is thought that now that the elections are over, the party wants to get rid of the unpopular bases and disband the militia, he reports.
Since last Friday's run-off, the MDC says nine of its supporters have been murdered, hundreds more beaten and forced to leave their homes.Since last Friday's run-off, the MDC says nine of its supporters have been murdered, hundreds more beaten and forced to leave their homes.
Almost 100 people have been killed and 200,000 left homeless since the MDC won the March vote, the opposition says.Almost 100 people have been killed and 200,000 left homeless since the MDC won the March vote, the opposition says.
Some of those who say they were affected by the violence have gathered outside the US embassy in Harare.Some of those who say they were affected by the violence have gathered outside the US embassy in Harare.
Aid organisations provided food for about 150 men overnight and about 50 women and children were taken away to shelter elsewhere.Aid organisations provided food for about 150 men overnight and about 50 women and children were taken away to shelter elsewhere.
Another 50 people joined the crowd on Friday morning.Another 50 people joined the crowd on Friday morning.
They say they have nowhere else to go, but they have not been let inside the embassy grounds.They say they have nowhere else to go, but they have not been let inside the embassy grounds.