HARARE // The Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, signed a power-sharing agreement with opposition rival Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday, relinquishing some of his powers for the first time in nearly three decades of iron rule. The deal followed weeks of tense negotiations to end a deep political crisis compounded by the veteran leader's disputed and unopposed re-election in a widely condemned vote in June. Under the agreement, Mr Tsvangirai will become prime minister. "This agreement sees the return of hope to all our lives. It is this hope that provides the foundation of this agreement that we sign today, that will provide us with the belief that we can achieve a new Zimbabwe," Mr Tsvangirai said after the signing ceremony. Zimbabweans hope the agreement will be a first step in helping to rescue the once prosperous nation from economic collapse. Inflation has rocketed to over 11 million per cent and millions have fled to neighbouring southern African countries. Cheers greeted the signing of the deal at a Harare hotel by Mr Mugabe, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Mr Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, who leads a breakaway faction of the main opposition party. The three smiling Zimbabwean leaders exchanged copies of the agreement and shook hands in front of the South African president, Thabo Mbeki, who brokered the deal, and other African leaders. Mr Mugabe, 84, made clear he would not tone down his attacks on Western countries such as former colonial power Britain. he accuses them of supporting the opposition in a bid to drive him from power. "African problems must be solved by Africans... the problem we have had is a problem that has been created by former colonial powers," Mr Mugabe said after the signing ceremony as Mr Tsvangirai looked uncomfortable. But he added: "We are committed to the deal, we will do our best". Western countries are still keen to see how the deal works in practice but the European Union said today it stood ready to bring aid to Zimbabwe if the new government took measures to restore democracy and the rule of law. The British foreign secretary, David Miliband, welcomed the agreement but said its details would be studied carefully. "The new government needs to start to rebuild the country. If it does so, Britain and the rest of the international community will be quick to support them," Mr Miliband said in a statement. Under the deal agreed last week, Mr Tsvangirai will become prime minister and chair a council of ministers supervising the cabinet. Mr Mugabe, who has ruled since independence from Britain in 1980, will remain president and head the cabinet. The deal is expected to split control of the powerful security forces that have been key backers of Mr Mugabe. * Reuters
Zimbabwe leaders sign historic pact
Zimbabwe's political leaders sign a landmark deal, which will see Mugabe and Tsvangirai working together.
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