Zimbabwe - as it happened: Emmerson Mnangagwa inaugurated as President while Mugabe barred from attending

Emmerson Mnangagwa is sworn in as new President of Zimbabwe

Emmerson Mnangagwa has been inaugurated as Zimbabwe's new President.

Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans gathered at Harare's National Sports Stadium for the swearing-in event, following the ouster of Robert Mugabe.

Former defence chief Mr Mnangagwa is just the second president in independent Zimbabwe's 37-year existence.

Mr Mugabe had sacked the incoming leader as vice president, leading the country's army to move against him.

Mr Mnangagwa was a key Mugabe confidant for decades until they fell out because of the presidential ambitions of Mr Mugabe's wife, Grace. Despite his long association with the government, Mr Mnangagwa has promised democracy.

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Key Points

• 'Emotional' Mugabe blocked from attending inauguration of man replacing him
• Robert Mugabe to receive diplomatic immunity as part of Zimbabwe President's resignation deal
• Now that Mugabe is gone, this is how Zimbabwe can rebuild itself

[24 November 2017 10:11 · Jon Sharman]

South Africa's Jacob Zuma has congratulated Mr Mnangagwa and said he hopes he will guide Zimbabwe through transition.

[24 November 2017 10:16 · Jon Sharman]

Emmerson Mnangagwa is sworn in as Zimbabwe's president in Harare (Reuters) 

[24 November 2017 10:48 · Jon Sharman]

The newly-inaugurated President is currently looking on as a band entertains the crowd.

[24 November 2017 10:54 · Jon Sharman]

He is now about to address the nation.

[24 November 2017 10:59 · Jon Sharman]

"I feel deeply humbled by the decision of my party, Zanu-PF, inviting me to serve our great nation," he says

[24 November 2017 11:03 · Jon Sharman]

"I'm not oblivious the the many Zimbabweans from across the political, ethnic and racial divide who have helped make this day and have legitimate expectations from the office now I occupy," he adds.

[24 November 2017 11:06 · Jon Sharman]

Mr Mnangagwa says he wants to pay tribute to Robert Mugabe. "He led us in our struggle for national independence, he assumed responsibilities of leadership at the formative and a very challenging time at the birth of our nation," he says.

[24 November 2017 11:09 · Jon Sharman]

"I must hit the ground running" when it comes to dealing with Zimbabwe's problems, Mr Mnangagwa admits

[24 November 2017 11:11 · Jon Sharman]

He calls for a "different, positive direction" for Zimbabwe and says past divisions should stay in the past. "Let bygones be bygones," he adds, "greatly embracing each other in defining a new destiny".

[24 November 2017 11:16 · Jon Sharman]

He adds: "The task at hand is that of rebuilding our great country. It principally lies with none but ourselves to do so."I implore you all to declare that never again - never again - should the circumstances that have put Zimbabwe in an unsufferable position be allowed to occur."