Zimbabwe generals welcome new PM

The generals, who last year shocked the world when they declared they would not salute Mr Tsvangirai if he beat Mr Mugabe in the presidential elections, have now pledged to work with him as the new Prime Minister.

HARARE, Thursday

Zimbabwe's security chiefs have pledged to work with the new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to restore the rule of law, which President Robert Mugabe's critics say, broke down during his regime's bid to hang on to power at all costs.

The generals, who last year shocked the world when they declared that they would not salute Mr Tsvangirai if he beat Mr Mugabe in the presidential elections, have been accused of trying to derail the new unity government installed last week.

The generals who allocated themselves some of the most productive farms during the violent land grab did not attend Mr Tsvangirai's swearing in last week, fuelling speculation they were opposed to the unity government.

The thawing of relations came as Mr Mugabe prepared to swear in 25 ministers of state and deputy ministers on Wednesday to complete the formation of the coalition government.

Tension had started building within the inclusive government made up of Mr Mugabe's Zanu PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations following the arrest of one of Mr Tsvangirai's senior aides on the same day the long time opposition leader was sworn into office.

The continued detention of opposition activists and reports of fresh farm invasions had also complicated the task for the new inclusive government.

Mr Tsvangirai on Tuesday met Mr Mugabe's confidante and Minister of Defence, Mr Emerson Mnangagwa and Dr Sydney Sekeramayi whose ministry is in charge of the feared Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).

They reportedly assured the Prime Minister of their support for the inclusive government and promised to support the restoration of the rule of law.

"The ministers also pledged to investigate reports of the recent invasion of farms," the Prime Minister's spokesman, Mr James Maridadi told the weekly Financial Gazette.

"The Prime Minister in turn pledged total support to the Ministers."

Mr Tsvangirai told his supporters at the MDC's 10th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday night that the arrest of his nominee for Deputy Minister of Agriculture Mr Bennet was because of "residual resistance" from the security forces.

"We must not be naive," he said. "There would be some resistance but I am must assure you that after three days in office I am convinced more than we signed this agreement that this is the first phase in the journey to create a free Zimbabwe."

The Prime Minister said his first days in office had convinced him that Mr Mugabe was committed to power sharing and the coalition government would work.

A magistrates' court refused to remove Mr Bennet from remand on charges of stockpiling weapons for the purposes of insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism.