Mugabe upbeat ahead of AU meeting

Johannesburg - President Robert Mugabe said on Saturday he was confident and optimistic ahead of the heads of state meeting at the African Union summit in Johannesburg.

"We are united in this summit, the issue now is integration and getting resources into our own hands. I am optimistic and confident," he said as he arrived at the Sandton Convention Centre, surrounded by security guards.

His participation at the summit comes after his government abandoned its currency, the Zimbabwean dollar, which had deteriorated in value over the years. The country's central bank abandoned the currency in favour of the US dollar and the South African rand, among other stronger currencies.

South African president Jacob Zuma arrived at the summit shortly before 11am.