Mugabe says his time as President isn't over

Zimbabwe's 90-year-old president, Robert Mugabe, says he has no plans to end his three-decade rule of the southern African nation.

Mugabe told his party's lawmakers yesterday that he would put an end to infighting in the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front that's erupted with public attacks by his wife Grace on Vice President Joice Mujuru.

"I know that some are saying Mugabe is old, let him go. I will not go anywhere," he said. "There's nowhere I am going and my time is not up."

Party infighting has escalated as Zanu-PF prepares for its five-year congress where it will elect its leadership. Grace Mugabe last week accused Mujuru of plotting to oust Mugabe, who turns 91 in February, and said she should resign.

"We have people in the party fighting for positions, trying to push each other out," Mugabe said at a party meeting after opening Parliament in Harare, the capital. "I can assure you that we are not going to have this nonsense of senior party members fighting each other for positions."

Neither Mujuru nor Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, both vying for Mugabe's position, according to analysts, were present when Mugabe spoke. Calls to their offices and mobile phones seeking comment today weren't answered.