Mugabe calls for collective fight against imperialism

President Robert Mugabe has urged on members of the Non-aligned Movement to close ranks in tackling imperialism.

Mugabe made the call while in Tehran, Iran where he is attending the 16th NAM summit.

He said unity is essential among the NAM countries to withstand the threats by western countries that are bent on undermining the sovereignty of other countries.

Mugabe said Zimbabwe faced such a threat when Britain and her allies tried to put the country under sanctions as punishment for the land reform programme.

He said the movement was created to further the goals of international peace and to prevent war and to promote development in a peaceful environment.

Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah ali Khamenei, will today officially open the summit which is being attended by leaders from 120 countries.

The summit is focussing on the Syrian crisis, human rights and nuclear disarmament among other issues.

Iran will take over the NAM leadership from Egypt for the next three years.