Mugabe plane forced to abort landing

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe salutes the crowd gathered to welcome him during celebrations marking his 90th birthday in Marondera, on February 23, 2014. AFP/PHOTO Jekesai Njikizana

HARARE, Tuesday

A plane carrying Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe was forced to abort a planned landing in Harare on Tuesday due to heavy fog, landing instead in the country's second city of Bulawayo.

"His aircraft was forced to land at Joshua Nqabuko," state radio Spot FM reported.

President Mugabe, 90, was returning from Vatican City where he had attended the canonisations of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII.

The Zimbabwean leader is subject to a European Union travel ban, but can attend ceremonies at the Vatican.