Robert Mugabe 'ready to stand down' as Zimbabwe president

The Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, has said that the long-time President, Robert Mugabe, is ready to give up power if he loses the next election.

Mr Tsvangirai made the comments yesterday in New Zealand, during a tour to ask countries to end limited sanctions against Zimbabwe. He said he was confident free elections would be held within 12 months, after a new constitution was drafted on Friday.

Mr Tsvangirai said Mr Mugabe "will accept the result", noting he did not "see any reason why he should plunge the country again into another dispute".