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Zimbabwe crowds rejoice as they demand end to Mugabe rule Zimbabwe crowds rejoice as they demand end to Mugabe rule
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of Zimbabweans have taken to the streets of the capital and other cities to demand the resignation of President Robert Mugabe.Thousands of Zimbabweans have taken to the streets of the capital and other cities to demand the resignation of President Robert Mugabe.
In a party atmosphere, they tore pictures of Mr Mugabe and at one point marched to his office and residence.In a party atmosphere, they tore pictures of Mr Mugabe and at one point marched to his office and residence.
The army took over on Wednesday, days after Mr Mugabe sacked his deputy, signalling that he favoured his wife Grace as his successor.The army took over on Wednesday, days after Mr Mugabe sacked his deputy, signalling that he favoured his wife Grace as his successor.
Mr Mugabe, 93, has led Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.Mr Mugabe, 93, has led Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.
The military has kept him confined to his residence and says it is "engaging" with him and will advise the public on the outcome of talks "as soon as possible".The military has kept him confined to his residence and says it is "engaging" with him and will advise the public on the outcome of talks "as soon as possible".
Saturday's rally had the support of the army and members of the governing Zanu-PF party.Saturday's rally had the support of the army and members of the governing Zanu-PF party.
Veterans of Zimbabwe's war for independence - who until last year were loyal to the president, the best-known among them - are also saying Mr Mugabe should quit.Veterans of Zimbabwe's war for independence - who until last year were loyal to the president, the best-known among them - are also saying Mr Mugabe should quit.
Outside State House, the official residence, some people staged a sit-down protest in front of a line of troops, and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai addressed the crowd, to cheers.Outside State House, the official residence, some people staged a sit-down protest in front of a line of troops, and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai addressed the crowd, to cheers.
The BBC's Andrew Harding in Harare says this is a watershed moment and there can be no return to power for Mr Mugabe.The BBC's Andrew Harding in Harare says this is a watershed moment and there can be no return to power for Mr Mugabe.
Our correspondent says the situation may appear to be getting out of Zanu-PF's control and there could be a broad push to introduce a transitional government that includes the opposition.Our correspondent says the situation may appear to be getting out of Zanu-PF's control and there could be a broad push to introduce a transitional government that includes the opposition.
On Friday, Mr Mugabe made his first public appearance since being confined to his house.On Friday, Mr Mugabe made his first public appearance since being confined to his house.
He spoke only to open the graduation at a university of which he is chancellor.He spoke only to open the graduation at a university of which he is chancellor.
Grace Mugabe was not present. It had been thought she had left the country but it emerged on Thursday that she was at home with Mr Mugabe.Grace Mugabe was not present. It had been thought she had left the country but it emerged on Thursday that she was at home with Mr Mugabe.
The military made its move after a power struggle over the successor for Mr Mugabe. Mr Mugabe sacked Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week, apparently to pave the way for Grace Mugabe, who is four decades younger than him, to take over the presidency.
He sacked Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week, apparently to pave the way for Grace Mugabe, who is four decades younger than him, to take over the presidency. Zanu-PF's top body is meeting on Sunday to discuss dismissing Mr Mugabe as party leader.
Mr Mugabe's nephew, Patrick Zhuwao, told Reuters news agency the couple were "ready to die for what is correct" and would not step down. Negotiating Mugabe's exit
Fear has lifted Analysis by Anne Soy, BBC News, Harare
Analysis by the BBC's Andrew Harding in Harare Negotiations are going on behind the scenes to persuade President Mugabe to step down. It is understood that he has insisted that he cannot do so and legitimise a coup.
Euphoric crowds surged through the centre of Harare, chanting "He must go!" and waving placards demanding President Mugabe's immediate resignation. People were sitting on their cars, horns blaring, and on top of buses, holding Zimbabwean flags. The military maintains this is not a coup and there is international pressure to use constitutional means to resolve the political crisis. Negotiators are poring through Zimbabwe's laws to find a legal way out.
"This is a revolution," said one man emerging from a supermarket to join the protesters. "It has been a long time coming." Saturday's call for civilians to take to the streets looks choreographed to lend some legitimacy to the transition process being discussed.
For years such scenes have been unthinkable in Zimbabwe, but the army and governing Zanu-PF gave these rallies their blessing, and the fear that held back so many people appears to have lifted overnight. President Mugabe's support base has continued to crumble. Independence war veterans, who fought alongside him against colonial rule, have also called on their former leader to leave.
"We just want change," said a woman in a long queue outside a bank in the centre of Harare. Others spoke of the country's deep economic problems and its soaring unemployment, and hoped that a change of leadership might improve people's lives. But the biggest blow yet to Mr Mugabe could be delivered by the central committee of his ruling Zanu-PF on Sunday. Their meeting could see Robert Mugabe dismissed as party leader.
The governing party - now ruthlessly purging itself - will be hoping to retain its iron grip on power in Zimbabwe, but the extraordinary street protests may have unlocked forces that will be hard to control. Read more from Anne
Who is backing the protest in Harare?Who is backing the protest in Harare?
How did we get here?How did we get here?
Soldiers seized the headquarters of Zimbabwe's national broadcaster ZBC on Wednesday, and loud explosions and gunfire were heard.Soldiers seized the headquarters of Zimbabwe's national broadcaster ZBC on Wednesday, and loud explosions and gunfire were heard.
Maj Gen Sibusiso Moyo then read out a statement on national television, assuring the nation that President Mugabe and his family were safe.Maj Gen Sibusiso Moyo then read out a statement on national television, assuring the nation that President Mugabe and his family were safe.
The military was only targeting what he called "criminals" around the president, he said, denying that there had been a coup.The military was only targeting what he called "criminals" around the president, he said, denying that there had been a coup.
On Thursday, Mr Mugabe was pictured smiling as he took part in talks with an army general and South African government ministers at State House but sources suggested he might be resisting pressure to resign.On Thursday, Mr Mugabe was pictured smiling as he took part in talks with an army general and South African government ministers at State House but sources suggested he might be resisting pressure to resign.
What has been the reaction around the world?What has been the reaction around the world?