afrol News, 18 September - Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has today denounced power-sharing deal with opposition as a humiliation though he has however stated plans to remain "in driving seat".

"Anyhow here we are, still in a dominant position which will enable us to gather more strength as we move into future. We remain in driving seat," he told media today.

Mr Mugabe said ruling ZANU-PF had no alternative after losing March parliamentary elections.

He is expected to meet prime minister-designate and leader of opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai later to discuss allocating ministerial posts under new political deal.

Reports show that there is intense lobbying for positions among all parties involved in agreement.

Under deal, ZANU-PF has 15 posts in cabinet, with MDC's 13 and a smaller MDC faction three.

But allocation of portfolios among parties and naming of ministers has still to be decided.

Agreement with Mr Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, head of breakaway opposition faction followed weeks of tense negotiations to end a political crisis compounded by Mr Mugabe's disputed and unopposed re-election in a widely condemned vote in June.

The 84-year-old veteran politician who has governed since independence from Britain in 1980, will retain his post as head of state, as well as keep control of southern African state's powerful army, while police are expected to fall under opposition.

Zimbabweans hope agreement, brokered by South African president Thabo Mbeki, will be a first step in helping to rescue once prosperous nation from economic collapse.

Meanwhile, international Red Cross is to start distributing food aid shortly. Trucks carrying aid reportedly travelled through night after loading supplies in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare.

Red Cross spokesperson Matthew Cochrane told media that some two million people need food aid, and this could rise to five million, half population, by end of year.

Inflation in Zimbabwe has rocketed to over 11 million percent and millions have fled to neighbouring southern African countries to seek greener pastures.

Western nations and international agencies have said they will be ready to help new government financially if it commits itself to political and economic reforms and show clear commitment to tackle crisis.

Their support is seen as critical to any effort by government to knock down prices and ease severe food, fuel and foreign currency shortages.

Mr Mugabe, however, has reportedly vowed to continue his attacks on Britain and other western nations he accuses of backing opposition and trying to drive him from power.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories