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Opposition 'must accept Mugabe' | Opposition 'must accept Mugabe' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe says he is open to talks on ending the country's political crisis, provided the opposition accepts him as leader. | 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." | "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. | 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. | The opposition pulled out of last Friday's presidential run-off, citing violence in a campaign that has drawn international condemnation. |
Mr Mugabe's comments came as the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) accused the government of trying to wipe out the parliamentary majority that it won in March. | |
The party holds a majority of 10 seats in the 210-seat parliament. | |
But at least 10 of its newly-elected MPs are either in prison or wanted by the police on a range of charges, the BBC's Peter Greste reports from Johannesburg. | |
Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper reported that one MP was wanted for provoking political violence and he is now on the run. | |
The MDC said another of its MPs had been abducted, while 53 are fighting court challenges to their electoral victories. | |
Hero's welcome | |
Thousands of Zimbabweans greeted Mr Mugabe on his return from last weekend's 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. |
People at the US embassy say they were displaced in election violence | |
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. |
Mr Mugabe's movements since the summit have not been reported. | |
Meanwhile, military police have been seen forcibly closing down ruling party bases in townships used to intimidate people ahead of last week's election. | |
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, Brian Hungwe says. | |
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. |
Continuing violence | |
African leaders called for a unity government after MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of last Friday's presidential run-off, citing state-sponsored political violence. | |
But the opposition has said violence must end before talks on sharing power. | |
On Friday, the European Union called for fresh elections in Zimbabwe. | |
A statement from the EU's French presidency said it would only accept the result of Zimbabwe's first round on 29 March, when officials results gave Mr Tsvangirai more votes than Mr Mugabe - but not enough to avoid a run-off. | |
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 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. |