'I have nothing but praise for Tsvangirai,' says Mugabe

President Mugabe yesterday paid tribute to his former coalition partners for shelving party differences to produce a new Constitution and for holding peaceful elections.

Addressing thousands of people during his acceptance speech soon after his inauguration at the National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday, Mugabe pleaded for unity, saying Zimbabweans were bound by a common destiny and should work together.

Mugabe praised principals to the now defunct Global Political Agreement, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, former Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and also MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube for working together well despite ideological differences.

"This is our land, our country together and for as long as our nation subsists, so will elections and the opportunities they offer. Our common destiny bids us to work together, never at cross purposes. More importantly, that destiny bids us to work for the wellbeing and in defence of our people who must always come first," he said.

Mugabe attacked Western powers whom he said refused to endorse his victory and lift sanctions imposed on his regime.

The MDC formation snubbed Mugabe's inauguration.