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Robert Mugabe pictured for first time since Zimbabwe military takeover Robert Mugabe pictured for first time since Zimbabwe military takeover
(35 minutes later)
Robert Mugabe has appeared in public for the first time since the military takeover in Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe has appeared in public for the first time since the military takeover in Zimbabwe, as he resists attempts to oust him as the country's leader.
The President spoke at a graduation ceremony in Harare amid political turmoil over the likely end of his 37-year rule.The President spoke at a graduation ceremony in Harare amid political turmoil over the likely end of his 37-year rule.
Mr Mugabe was taken into military custody this week in what the Zimbabwean army described as a "bloodless correction". Mr Mugabe was taken into military custody this week in what the Zimbabwean army described as a "bloodless correction". 
He has insisted he remains in charge but looks almost certain to be forced from office if he refuses to step down, with his ruling Zanu-PF party stating there "is no going back". The 93-year-old has insisted he remains in charge but looks almost certain to be forced from office if he refuses to step down, with his ruling Zanu-PF party stating there "is no going back".
Senior party figures were set to meet on Friday to draft a resolution to dismiss Mr Mugabe and lay the ground for his impeachment if he refuses to stand down.Senior party figures were set to meet on Friday to draft a resolution to dismiss Mr Mugabe and lay the ground for his impeachment if he refuses to stand down.
"If he becomes stubborn, we will arrange for him to be fired on Sunday," a senior party source said. "When that is done, it's impeachment on Tuesday.""If he becomes stubborn, we will arrange for him to be fired on Sunday," a senior party source said. "When that is done, it's impeachment on Tuesday."
Witnesses reported seeing the Presidential motorcade moving through the capital on Friday as a helicopter hovered overheard.  Witnesses reported seeing a helicopter hover over the Presidential motorcade as it moving through the capital on Friday, taking Mr Mugabe to a graduation ceremony at Zimbabwe Open University. 
Mr Mugabe was later seen at Zimbabwe Open University's graduation ceremony, where a red carpet had been laid out. Reports from those in attendance suggested he was set to fulfil his traditional role of greeting students as they collect their graduation caps. A red carpet had been laid out for Mr Mugabe as he took up his traditional role of greeting students as they collect their graduation caps.
One witness said the audience cheered as he began speaking. One witness said the audience cheered as he began speaking, wearing a blue and yellow academic gown and mortar board hat as she sat in a large wooden chair at the front of the university hall.
Mr Mugabe had been in military custody, reportedly with his wife Grace Mugabe, since the military takeover on Tuesday night.  Mr Mugabe had been in military custody, reportedly with his wife Grace, since the military takeover on Tuesday night. 
On Thursday he held talks with army chiefs and envoys from South Africa about his future.On Thursday he held talks with army chiefs and envoys from South Africa about his future.
South African President Jacob Zuma, speaking in his country's parliament, said the political situation "very shortly will be becoming clear."  South African President Jacob Zuma, speaking in his country's parliament, said the political situation "very shortly will be becoming clear." 
Seizing on the political limbo to speak out, Zimbabwean civil society groups and opposition leaders urged Mr Mugabe - the country's only leader since independence - to step aside after 37 years in power and for the country to transition into free and fair elections. Seizing on the political limbo to speak out, Zimbabwean civil society groups and opposition leaders urged Mr Mugabe - the country's only leader since independence - to step aside after 37 years in power and for the country to transition into free and fair elections. 
More follows… There was no sign of former vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose sacking last week angered supporters and led to the military takeover.
Mr Mugabe rejected a proposal under which he would step down allowing Mr Mnangagwa, nicknamed "The Crocodile" and a bitter opponent of Grace Mugabe, to take over temporarily until elections due to be held next year.
The President, described as angry and embittered, insisted he remains the legitimate head of state and has asked for guarantees if he were to leave sometime in the future. He is said to have demanded that there would be immunity from prosecution for his 52-year-old wife and other members of his family.
“Grace Mugabe belongs in prison: her only contribution to Zimbabwe has been to be the centre of scandals," declared Joshua Nhamburu, as his companions, fellow veterans of the war which freed the country from white rule, shook their heads in agreement. "She must face a court for what she has done. We have waited very long for justice and the time for that has come now."
Anger towards ‘Gucci Grace’ and ‘DisGrace’, as she has been called by her many critics for her profligate spending on luxuries as the country turned into an economic basket case, is just one ingredient of the passions simmering in Zimbabwe as the reign of Africa’s longest serving head of state comes to an end.
The President’s opponents, the politicians and the military who have now taken over, have taken pleasure in declaring that it took just 36 hours to end 37 years of Robert Mugabe’s grip on power.
Mr Mugabe, his wife and some of their most senior supporters were placed under house arrest at the palatial presidential residence, Blue Roof, with others are incarcerated in army barracks.
Across the country, Zimbabweans long frustrated by crackdowns on dissent and a collapsing economy were enjoying freedoms they had not in years. For once, they did not have to contend with bribe-seeking police officers who mounted roadblocks every few miles.
Soldiers manning the few checkpoints leading into downtown Harare greeted motorists with a smile, searching cars without hostilities and wishing motorists a safe journey. Street vendors who endured police raids after Mr Mugabe ordered their removal were working without hassles. Trade unions urged workers to go about their business. 
Whether General Constantino Chiwenga, the head of the military and his high command, who have taken over the country, would agree to the President’s demand to spare his wife from prosecution remains unclear. There are growing calls for charges to be made against Ms Mugabe and her cohort for alleged embezzlement and abuse - charges Ms Mugabe has denied.