Mugabe likes Queen, not so much the British PM

Mugabe likes Queen, not so much the British PM

EVIL SPIRITS: Mugabe rails at "demons" in British politics

ENGLISH GENT: Mugabe with the Queen in London in 1994

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By Lebo Nkatazo

ROBERT Mugabe quite likes the Queen, but not so much the politicians at No 10 Downing Street, he told a campaign rally on Thursday on the eve of a presidential runoff election boycotted by his opponent.

Mugabe -- this week stripped of a knighthood issued by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994 -- said he “continued to respect” her but was scathing of British political leaders, calling them “demons”.

“We have no quarrel with ordinary British people,” the veteran leader said. “We continue to respect the Queen. She visited here, all her children visited us. No. we have no quarrel with them. It’s those at number 10 Downing Street (British Prime Minister’s official residence)… the demons at number 10 Downing Street must be exorcised by someone.”

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has labelled Mugabe a “criminal”, but the Zimbabwean leader accuses the former colonial power of interfering in its domestic affairs.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai boycotted a runoff on Friday, citing violence and intimidation of his supporters.

The election has been condemned internationally as a sham, but Mugabe insists the verdict on the poll is reserved for Zimbabwean people.

The 84-year-old leader, striking a slightly conciliatory tone with the opposition at his final campaign rally in Chitungwiza, said he was open to discussions on the country’s future.

He added: “Victory by us does not mean death of the MDC nor the death of any party that desires to continue to operate. Of course they were defeated during this election.

“I said a few days ago we remain open to discussion if there are any proposals the other parties would want to make to us, in good spirit. We will listen to those proposals, discuss them with them, but not because we are being dictated to by the outside world. The moment the outside world dictates to us, we will not proceed."

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