Mugabe defiant on returning home

Harare: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, 84, defiant despite heavy foreign condemnation of his re-election, on Friday said the opposition must drop its claim to power and accept that he was the rightful head of state.

Mugabe struck an intransigent stance when he returned home after an African Union summit this week which handed him an unprecedented rebuff, telling him to negotiate a national unity government with Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC opposition.

He told thousands of cheering supporters at the airport: "Tsvangirai and his group must disabuse themselves of their claim to power."

He added: "We are open to dialogue but reality is reality and it has to be accepted. I am the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe."

Mugabe extended his 28-year rule in a June 27 election which Tsvangirai boycotted, saying a violent, government-backed campaign made a fair vote impossible.

Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change said yesterday a violent crackdown by security forces and pro-Mugabe militias had killed 103 of its followers while 1,500 had been detained.

Some 5,000 others were missing after being abducted by ruling ZANU-PF militia or security agents since Tsvangirai defeated Mugabe in a first round of voting in March.

As Mugabe arrived home, neighbouring Botswana called on the Southern African Development Community, the regional body mediating in Zimbabwe, not to recognise Mugabe's re-election. Botswana was one of the most outspoken critics of Mugabe at the summit.

But in remarks apparently aimed at Botswana and Zambia, another regional critic, Mugabe warned his neighbours not to pick a fight. "If there are some who may want to fight us, they should think twice."

The European Union called on friday for Zimbabwe to hold a new election as soon as possible.