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Zimbabwe cabinet to be sworn in Zimbabwe cabinet to be sworn in
(about 2 hours later)
The formation of Zimbabwe's unity government is due to be completed with the swearing-in of the new ministers.The formation of Zimbabwe's unity government is due to be completed with the swearing-in of the new ministers.
The cabinet posts are split according to a power-sharing deal signed after months of political deadlock.The cabinet posts are split according to a power-sharing deal signed after months of political deadlock.
President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF will have 15 posts and the two factions of the former opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) 16.President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF will have 15 posts and the two factions of the former opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) 16.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai told the BBC the country was "on its knees" and key priorities had to be dealt with.
He said the humanitarian situation needed to be tackled, with schools being re-opened and the cause of the cholera epidemic being eradicated.
"We have to find a solution to the country's crisis.
"Mugabe may be part of the problem, but he's also part of the solution. I am sure the reverse will also apply to me from their side.
"But we have reached the stage now where we say we have to have a negotiated settlement, for the sake of the people".
The formation of the government is going ahead despite MDC concern about the fate of imprisoned activists.The formation of the government is going ahead despite MDC concern about the fate of imprisoned activists.
Mr Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for 28 years, has promised to co-operate in the unity government.Mr Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for 28 years, has promised to co-operate in the unity government.
But the allocation of key ministerial portfolios has been highly contentious, and the new cabinet will bring bitter rivals face to face, the BBC's Peter Biles reports from South Africa.But the allocation of key ministerial portfolios has been highly contentious, and the new cabinet will bring bitter rivals face to face, the BBC's Peter Biles reports from South Africa.
New colleaguesNew colleagues
Correspondents say much about the deal is unclear - in particular what happens in case the two leaders cannot agree on a particular issue.Correspondents say much about the deal is unclear - in particular what happens in case the two leaders cannot agree on a particular issue.
The MDC will control the finance and health portfolios, while Zanu-PF retains its hold on defence, foreign affairs and agriculture.The MDC will control the finance and health portfolios, while Zanu-PF retains its hold on defence, foreign affairs and agriculture.
KEY CABINET APPOINTMENTS Zanu-PF: Emmerson Mnangagwa, seen as a possible successor to Robert Mugabe, position not known Patrick Chinamasa, chief negotiator of power-sharing deal, position not known Sydney Sekeramayi, ex-defence minister, position not known Didymus Mutasa, oversaw land reform programme, position not known MDC: Tendai Biti, lawyer and ex-student leader, finance Giles Mutsekwa, lawyer with a military background, home affairsHenry Madzorera, trained doctor, healthEric Matinenga, lawyer who defended Mr Tsvangirai on treason charges, constitutional affairsRoy Bennett, farmer, forced to flee Zimbabwe, deputy agriculture minister Can Zimbabwe's economy be fixed?Full profile: Tendai BitiZimbabwe deal: Key points The home affairs ministry, which is responsible for the police, will be split between the two parties.KEY CABINET APPOINTMENTS Zanu-PF: Emmerson Mnangagwa, seen as a possible successor to Robert Mugabe, position not known Patrick Chinamasa, chief negotiator of power-sharing deal, position not known Sydney Sekeramayi, ex-defence minister, position not known Didymus Mutasa, oversaw land reform programme, position not known MDC: Tendai Biti, lawyer and ex-student leader, finance Giles Mutsekwa, lawyer with a military background, home affairsHenry Madzorera, trained doctor, healthEric Matinenga, lawyer who defended Mr Tsvangirai on treason charges, constitutional affairsRoy Bennett, farmer, forced to flee Zimbabwe, deputy agriculture minister Can Zimbabwe's economy be fixed?Full profile: Tendai BitiZimbabwe deal: Key points The home affairs ministry, which is responsible for the police, will be split between the two parties.
The new government will have to deal with Zimbabwe's rampant inflation, a cholera epidemic and unemployment of at least 90%.The new government will have to deal with Zimbabwe's rampant inflation, a cholera epidemic and unemployment of at least 90%.
Some of those nominated by Zanu-PF as ministers have served in cabinet since Mr Mugabe was first elected in 1980.Some of those nominated by Zanu-PF as ministers have served in cabinet since Mr Mugabe was first elected in 1980.
Emmerson Mnangagwa has long been seen as a potential successor to Mr Mugabe and was accused of links to the 2008 election violence against the MDC.Emmerson Mnangagwa has long been seen as a potential successor to Mr Mugabe and was accused of links to the 2008 election violence against the MDC.
Other nominees include former Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi and former Land Minister Didymus Mutasa. The portfolios of the Zanu-PF nominees is not clear.Other nominees include former Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi and former Land Minister Didymus Mutasa. The portfolios of the Zanu-PF nominees is not clear.
MDC secretary general Tendai Biti is to take on the enormous challenge of finance, while as Health Minister Henry Madzorera will be in charge of tackling the cholera outbreak.MDC secretary general Tendai Biti is to take on the enormous challenge of finance, while as Health Minister Henry Madzorera will be in charge of tackling the cholera outbreak.
A Zanu-PF minister will be in charge of agriculture but their deputy will be the MDC's Roy Bennett, who lost his farms under Mr Mugabe's land reform programme and fled to South Africa, saying he feared for his life.A Zanu-PF minister will be in charge of agriculture but their deputy will be the MDC's Roy Bennett, who lost his farms under Mr Mugabe's land reform programme and fled to South Africa, saying he feared for his life.
Mr Biti told the BBC that he had long been sceptical about the power-sharing, but he was now committed to it.Mr Biti told the BBC that he had long been sceptical about the power-sharing, but he was now committed to it.
"Many of us wanted Mugabe's head, Mugabe had to go, but we failed in that quest, therefore let's make this thing work.""Many of us wanted Mugabe's head, Mugabe had to go, but we failed in that quest, therefore let's make this thing work."
FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service The fate of political prisoners will be seen as a test of whether the former rivals can work together, correspondents say.FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service The fate of political prisoners will be seen as a test of whether the former rivals can work together, correspondents say.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who was sworn in as prime minister on Wednesday, visited the jailed activists during his first full day in office. Mr Tsvangirai, who was sworn in as prime minister on Wednesday, visited the jailed activists during his first full day in office.
"Some of them were given medical attention, and we hope that the process of the joint monitoring group will finalise this issue as early as possible.
"I'm confident they will be released," he told the BBC.
The MDC says more than 30 people, including 72-year-old man Fidelis Charamba, are still being held after being abducted and illegally detained.The MDC says more than 30 people, including 72-year-old man Fidelis Charamba, are still being held after being abducted and illegally detained.
They have been accused of subversion and recruiting fighters to overthrow Mr Mugabe - charges denied by the MDC.They have been accused of subversion and recruiting fighters to overthrow Mr Mugabe - charges denied by the MDC.
The prisoners were given no promises of release after Mr Tsvangirai's visit on Thursday, but the prime minister told them their cases would be processed more quickly.
The MDC agreed to the power-sharing deal in January after disputed elections last year led to months of political deadlock.The MDC agreed to the power-sharing deal in January after disputed elections last year led to months of political deadlock.