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MDC minister arrested in Harare MDC minister arrested in Harare
(9 minutes later)
A senior opposition official and ministerial nominee has been arrested in Zimbabwe just before a new power-sharing cabinet was sworn in.A senior opposition official and ministerial nominee has been arrested in Zimbabwe just before a new power-sharing cabinet was sworn in.
Roy Bennett, the MDC's choice to become deputy agriculture minister, was reportedly seized at a Harare airport.Roy Bennett, the MDC's choice to become deputy agriculture minister, was reportedly seized at a Harare airport.
The white farmer, who lost his property under President Robert Mugabe's land reform programme, has previously reported death threats.The white farmer, who lost his property under President Robert Mugabe's land reform programme, has previously reported death threats.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Mr Mugabe have agreed to form a coalition.MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Mr Mugabe have agreed to form a coalition.
Despite the arrest, Mr Mugabe swore in the new cabinet at State House in the capital, Harare.Despite the arrest, Mr Mugabe swore in the new cabinet at State House in the capital, Harare.
Mugabe may be part of the problem, but he's also part of the solution MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai Can Zimbabwe's economy be fixed? However, it was delayed by two and a half hours in a row over the allocation of ministers.Mugabe may be part of the problem, but he's also part of the solution MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai Can Zimbabwe's economy be fixed? However, it was delayed by two and a half hours in a row over the allocation of ministers.
Under the power-sharing agreement, President Mugabe's Zanu-PF is to have 15 posts and the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) 16.Under the power-sharing agreement, President Mugabe's Zanu-PF is to have 15 posts and the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) 16.
But Zimbabwean journalist Brian Hungwe says an extra five Zanu-PF ministers of state turned up for the ceremony, and the issue was only resolved after intense closed-door negotiations.But Zimbabwean journalist Brian Hungwe says an extra five Zanu-PF ministers of state turned up for the ceremony, and the issue was only resolved after intense closed-door negotiations.
One MDC official was quoted as saying that the additional Zanu-PF officials were junior ministers, who are due to be sworn in next week.
Controversial figureControversial figure
MDC spokesman Ian Makone said Mr Bennett was arrested at the small Charles Prince airport, north-west of the capital, Harare.MDC spokesman Ian Makone said Mr Bennett was arrested at the small Charles Prince airport, north-west of the capital, Harare.
On Thursday, Mr Bennett told the BBC that he was in hiding as the security services had issued an arrest warrant for him.On Thursday, Mr Bennett told the BBC that he was in hiding as the security services had issued an arrest warrant for him.
KEY CABINET APPOINTMENTS Zanu-PF: Emmerson Mnangagwa, seen as a possible successor to Robert Mugabe, defence Sydney Sekeramayi, ex-defence minister, state security Joseph Made, ex-agricultural minister, agriculture Patrick Chinamasa, chief negotiator of power-sharing deal, justice Kembo Mohadi, former home affairs minister, home affairs MDC: Tendai Biti, lawyer and ex-student leader, finance Giles Mutsekwa, lawyer with a military background, home affairsHenry Madzorera, trained doctor, healthEric Matinenga, lawyer who defended Mr Tsvangirai on treason charges, constitutional affairsRoy Bennett, former farmer, arrested, deputy agriculture minister Full profile: Tendai BitiZimbabwe deal: Key pointsKEY CABINET APPOINTMENTS Zanu-PF: Emmerson Mnangagwa, seen as a possible successor to Robert Mugabe, defence Sydney Sekeramayi, ex-defence minister, state security Joseph Made, ex-agricultural minister, agriculture Patrick Chinamasa, chief negotiator of power-sharing deal, justice Kembo Mohadi, former home affairs minister, home affairs MDC: Tendai Biti, lawyer and ex-student leader, finance Giles Mutsekwa, lawyer with a military background, home affairsHenry Madzorera, trained doctor, healthEric Matinenga, lawyer who defended Mr Tsvangirai on treason charges, constitutional affairsRoy Bennett, former farmer, arrested, deputy agriculture minister Full profile: Tendai BitiZimbabwe deal: Key points
Mr Bennett, a former MP, has long been a controversial figure.Mr Bennett, a former MP, has long been a controversial figure.
He was in prison from October 2004 to June 2005 - a sentence imposed by other MPs after he pushed a government minister during an argument in parliament over land reform.He was in prison from October 2004 to June 2005 - a sentence imposed by other MPs after he pushed a government minister during an argument in parliament over land reform.
He has only recently returned to Zimbabwe after more than two years in exile in South Africa.He has only recently returned to Zimbabwe after more than two years in exile in South Africa.
He fled Zimbabwe after police sought his arrest in connection with an alleged plot against President Mugabe.He fled Zimbabwe after police sought his arrest in connection with an alleged plot against President Mugabe.
Other MDC members who were arrested in connection with the same alleged plot were later released and charges dropped.Other MDC members who were arrested in connection with the same alleged plot were later released and charges dropped.
The BBC's Andrew Harding in Harare says Mr Bennett believes the latest development shows that Zanu-PF hardliners are trying to scupper the new coalition.The BBC's Andrew Harding in Harare says Mr Bennett believes the latest development shows that Zanu-PF hardliners are trying to scupper the new coalition.
"They want us to walk away from this deal. We've just got to be smarter than them," he said."They want us to walk away from this deal. We've just got to be smarter than them," he said.
Before the swearing-in ceremony, MDC leader and Zimbabwe's new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told the BBC the country was "on its knees".Before the swearing-in ceremony, MDC leader and Zimbabwe's new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told the BBC the country was "on its knees".
He said the humanitarian situation needed to be tackled, schools re-opened and the cholera epidemic which has killed some 3,400 people ended.He said the humanitarian situation needed to be tackled, schools re-opened and the cholera epidemic which has killed some 3,400 people ended.
"We have to find a solution to the country's crisis," he said."We have to find a solution to the country's crisis," he said.
"Mugabe may be part of the problem, but he's also part of the solution. I am sure the reverse will also apply to me from their side."Mugabe may be part of the problem, but he's also part of the solution. I am sure the reverse will also apply to me from their side.
"But we have reached the stage now where we say we have to have a negotiated settlement, for the sake of the people.""But we have reached the stage now where we say we have to have a negotiated settlement, for the sake of the people."
The economy is in meltdown, with the local currency virtually worthless and unemployment of some 90%.The economy is in meltdown, with the local currency virtually worthless and unemployment of some 90%.
RivalsRivals
Correspondents say Friday's upsets show how difficult it will be for the coalition to work. Correspondents say Friday's hitches show how difficult it will be for the coalition to work.
Many of the Zanu-PF ministers have served in cabinet since Mr Mugabe was first elected in 1980.Many of the Zanu-PF ministers have served in cabinet since Mr Mugabe was first elected in 1980.
Robert Mugabe (R) swore his rival, Mr Tsvangirai, into office on WednesdaySeveral MDC ministers have been beaten or arrested for their opposition to Mr Mugabe.Robert Mugabe (R) swore his rival, Mr Tsvangirai, into office on WednesdaySeveral MDC ministers have been beaten or arrested for their opposition to Mr Mugabe.
Zanu-PF's Emmerson Mnangagwa, the new defence minister, has long been seen as a potential successor to Mr Mugabe and was accused of links to the 2008 election violence against the MDC.Zanu-PF's Emmerson Mnangagwa, the new defence minister, has long been seen as a potential successor to Mr Mugabe and was accused of links to the 2008 election violence against the MDC.
Sydney Sekeramayi, a former defence minister, takes the state security ministry which controls the feared Central Intelligence Organisation.Sydney Sekeramayi, a former defence minister, takes the state security ministry which controls the feared Central Intelligence Organisation.
MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti takes on the enormous challenge of finance, while as Health Minister Henry Madzorera is now in charge of tackling the cholera outbreak.MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti takes on the enormous challenge of finance, while as Health Minister Henry Madzorera is now in charge of tackling the cholera outbreak.
The formation of the government has also gone ahead despite MDC concern about the fate of imprisoned activists.The formation of the government has also gone ahead despite MDC concern about the fate of imprisoned activists.
The MDC says more than 30 people, including 72-year-old man Fidelis Charamba, are still being held after being abducted and illegally detained.The MDC says more than 30 people, including 72-year-old man Fidelis Charamba, are still being held after being abducted and illegally detained.
They have been accused of subversion and recruiting fighters to overthrow Mr Mugabe - charges denied by the MDC.They have been accused of subversion and recruiting fighters to overthrow Mr Mugabe - charges denied by the MDC.