Split deepens as Iranian leader welcomed

ROBERT Mugabe's effusive welcome of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his state visit to Zimbabwe has further split his fragile coalition government.

Mr Ahmadinejad told crowds gathered for the official opening of Zimbabwe's International Trade Fair in Bulawayo yesterday that "oppressors and arrogant states" in the West were trying to control world resources.

Earlier he said "satanic pressures" were being brought to bear on Zimbabwe and Iran.

Zimbabwe has rolled out the red carpet for its controversial visitor. Crowds have been bussed to Harare International Airport to welcome him. He was garlanded with flowers, given a 21-gun salute and later shown on state TV walking hand-in-hand with Mugabe.

Conspicuous by his absence was prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai. Aides said the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader left Harare before Mr Ahmadinejad arrived. He is on a "pre-arranged" visit to Botswana and South Africa and will only return tomorrow.

The former opposition party said in a statement that Mr Ahmadinejad's visit was "an affront to democracy and to the oppressed people of Iran".