Mugabe's 'profound shock and sorrow' over Mwanawasa

ZIMBABWE President Robert Mugabe has expressed sorrow at the death of Zambian leader Levy Mwanawasa, one of his most outspoken critics in the southern African region, state radio reported on Wednesday.

"President Robert Mugabe has sent a message of condolence to Zambia and the Mwanawasa family following the untimely death Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa yesterday (Tuesday)," state radio reported.

"In a statement to the Zambian vice president Mr Rupiah Banda, President Mugabe said he had learnt with profound shock and sorrow of the untimely death of a brother and a colleague.

"President Robert Mugabe would like to convey his heartfelt condolences on behalf of government and the people of Zimbabwe," the report said.

Mugabe said Zimbabwe "shared Zambia's sorrow during this period of mourning," the report added.

Mwanawasa caused severe embarrassment to Mugabe by likening the state of his economy to that of the "sinking Titanic."

When other southern African leaders kept quiet over Mugabe's re-election -- after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of the contest because of violence against his supporters -- Mwanawasa described their silence as "scandalous."

His outspoken criticism of Mugabe -- contrasted with the quiet diplomacy of South African President Thabo Mbeki -- won him the enmity of the Harare regime who portrayed him as a puppet of old colonial power Britain.

Mwanawasa, 59, who had battled poor health for many years, died on Tuesday.

He suffered his second stroke in a little over two years while in Egypt at the end of June for an African Union summit.

He was initially treated in Egypt but was then flown to France where he underwent surgery on Monday after his condition deteriorated.

Zambians wept on the streets of the capital, Parliament suspended its session and even a doctors' strike was called off as the southern African nation mourned its president Wednesday.

The Zambian flag flew at half staff throughout the country, and radio and television stations replaced normal programmes with messages of condolence.

"President Mwanawasa was a true servant of the people who served this country with dignity and honor," Kenneth Kaunda, the founding president of Zambia, said in a message that was aired.

"We have lost a great leader who had a real vision for leadership and problems that face the country."

Mwanawasa's body was expected to be returned to Lusaka on Sunday, according to secretary to the Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja. In a statement Wednesday, Kanganja added the body would lie in state and be buried Monday.

Cabinet ministers, top civil servants and officials of the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy met Wednesday and decided Mwanawasa would be buried in a mausoleum being built in central Lusaka.

Vice President Rupiah Banda was expected to continue as acting president until an election that must be held within 90 days. - AFP/AP
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