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ANC behind Zuma for SA president ANC behind Zuma for SA president
(10 minutes later)
South Africa's ruling African National Congress has confirmed that its newly elected leader Jacob Zuma will be the party's presidential candidate in 2009.South Africa's ruling African National Congress has confirmed that its newly elected leader Jacob Zuma will be the party's presidential candidate in 2009.
The ANC's National Executive Committee announcement comes despite last month's decision by national prosecutors to lay fresh corruption charges against him. The ANC's National Executive Committee announcement comes despite last month's decision by state prosecutors to lay fresh corruption charges against him.
It also expressed "grave misgivings" about the timing of the charges. The ANC expressed "grave misgivings" about the timing of those charges.
President Thabo Mbeki, who was defeated in his bid to remain ANC leader last year, stayed away from the NEC meeting.President Thabo Mbeki, who was defeated in his bid to remain ANC leader last year, stayed away from the NEC meeting.
But the ANC said nothing should be read into his absence, and played down talks of a split between party and government policy.
Mr Zuma's corruption trial is due to begin in August.Mr Zuma's corruption trial is due to begin in August.
In 2006, he was acquitted on charges of rape and previous graft charges were put on hold.In 2006, he was acquitted on charges of rape and previous graft charges were put on hold.
'Fairness and justice''Fairness and justice'
The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says the ANC, which is marking its 96th anniversary, is standing squarely behind Mr Zuma during what it described as "trying times".The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says the ANC, which is marking its 96th anniversary, is standing squarely behind Mr Zuma during what it described as "trying times".
Mr Zuma married his fourth wife at a ceremony over the weekendMr Zuma married his fourth wife at a ceremony over the weekend
Just after Mr Zuma's election last month, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) charged him with corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering.Just after Mr Zuma's election last month, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) charged him with corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
The charges are believed to be linked to a controversial $5bn arms procurement deal by the South African government in 1999.The charges are believed to be linked to a controversial $5bn arms procurement deal by the South African government in 1999.
"The ANC seeks no special treatment for its president; only fairness and justice," the NEC said in a statement after its meeting on Monday."The ANC seeks no special treatment for its president; only fairness and justice," the NEC said in a statement after its meeting on Monday.
But it expressed concerned about "the general conduct of the NPA in this case, including inconsistency in the application of its mandate and leaking of information to the media".But it expressed concerned about "the general conduct of the NPA in this case, including inconsistency in the application of its mandate and leaking of information to the media".
'No scores''No scores'
Mr Zuma, who was first tried for corruption in 2005, has always maintained his innocence.Mr Zuma, who was first tried for corruption in 2005, has always maintained his innocence.
JACOB ZUMA Played key role in fight against apartheidPlagued by corruption allegationsAcquitted on rape chargesSeen as charismatic Zuma enjoys crowning Controversial arms dealJACOB ZUMA Played key role in fight against apartheidPlagued by corruption allegationsAcquitted on rape chargesSeen as charismatic Zuma enjoys crowning Controversial arms deal
ANC treasurer Matthews Phosa told reporters that Mr Zuma would fight his corruption case "with every sinew in his body".ANC treasurer Matthews Phosa told reporters that Mr Zuma would fight his corruption case "with every sinew in his body".
Mr Phosa insisted that the party's new NEC, which is dominated by supporters of Mr Zuma, had no scores to settle with anyone.Mr Phosa insisted that the party's new NEC, which is dominated by supporters of Mr Zuma, had no scores to settle with anyone.
He said the ANC would work "flat out" to unite after the recent divisions over leadership. He said the ANC would work "flat out" to unite after the recent divisions over its leadership.
Correspondents say Mr Zuma seems undaunted by the hurdles he faces and has said he will not stand down from office unless he is found guilty.Correspondents say Mr Zuma seems undaunted by the hurdles he faces and has said he will not stand down from office unless he is found guilty.
Over the weekend, he married his fourth wife and the mother of his two youngest children, Nompumelelo Ntuli, in a closely guarded, traditional Zulu ceremony at his rural homestead of Nkandla.Over the weekend, he married his fourth wife and the mother of his two youngest children, Nompumelelo Ntuli, in a closely guarded, traditional Zulu ceremony at his rural homestead of Nkandla.
Mr Zuma was formerly South Africa's deputy president, before being fired in 2005 when his financial adviser, Schabir Schaik, was found guilty of corruption and jailed for 15 years in connection with the arms deal.Mr Zuma was formerly South Africa's deputy president, before being fired in 2005 when his financial adviser, Schabir Schaik, was found guilty of corruption and jailed for 15 years in connection with the arms deal.