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Mugabe pledges not to step down Mugabe pledges not to step down
(about 8 hours later)
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has repeated in an interview on state television that he has no intention of stepping down.Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has repeated in an interview on state television that he has no intention of stepping down.
In the interview ahead of his 83rd birthday on Wednesday, Mr Mugabe made a veiled criticism of colleagues. Mr Mugabe, who is 83 on Wednesday, made a veiled criticism of his colleagues in the interview.
Some in government have become involved in a fierce debate about when he will retire and who should replace him.Some in government have become involved in a fierce debate about when he will retire and who should replace him.
Mr Mugabe, who retains an iron grip after nearly 27 years in power, said they were resorting to nonsense.Mr Mugabe, who retains an iron grip after nearly 27 years in power, said they were resorting to nonsense.
Struggle for survivalStruggle for survival
In the rambling hour-long television interview, Mr Mugabe said there would come a day when he would go but at the moment there were no vacancies.In the rambling hour-long television interview, Mr Mugabe said there would come a day when he would go but at the moment there were no vacancies.
People could talk about the process of succession, he said, but not with a view to pushing him out of office now.People could talk about the process of succession, he said, but not with a view to pushing him out of office now.
And he had some sharp words for those who may be in the running to succeed him.And he had some sharp words for those who may be in the running to succeed him.
President Mugabe said there were high-ranking, ambitious people who were looking at themselves. They were resorting to all kinds of nonsense, he said.President Mugabe said there were high-ranking, ambitious people who were looking at themselves. They were resorting to all kinds of nonsense, he said.
Asked about Zimbabwe's deepening economic crisis, Mr Mugabe denied that the economy was sinking, though he admitted that there was a decline in the standard of living.Asked about Zimbabwe's deepening economic crisis, Mr Mugabe denied that the economy was sinking, though he admitted that there was a decline in the standard of living.
Last week the annual rate of inflation shot up to nearly 1,600%.Last week the annual rate of inflation shot up to nearly 1,600%.
His comments are unlikely to offer much comfort to ordinary people whose daily lives have become a struggle for survival.His comments are unlikely to offer much comfort to ordinary people whose daily lives have become a struggle for survival.