Libyan revolt no threat to Zimbabwe: Army commander

AFRICAN leaders should stand united to guard against rebellious forces that wish to cause unrest and destabilise the  continent, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda, has said.

In an interview after a passout parade at Imbizo Barracks on the outskirts of Bulawayo yesterday, Lt-Gen Sibanda said the rebellion in North Africa, particularly Libya, was not a threat to Zimbabwe.

However, Lt-Gen Sibanda said Zimbabwe, just like the whole of Africa, was secure from unrest as long as the continent remains united.

He said the sporadic fighting in Libya, where rebels have killed hundreds of people, including defenceless civilians, would divide the continent.

"Certain things have happened. There are threats of divisions within the African Union over events like in Libya where people are fighting to further their own interests," he said.

"It is such events that show weaknesses of organisations like the AU when they fail to deal with rebels with one voice and with a common goal as a continent.

"The country is secure only as far as we make it, but if we decide to invite foreigners then we will have challenges."

Lt-Gen Sibanda said the continued unrest on the continent had serious effects politically, socially and economically as it affects bilateral and international relations.

Libyan embassies in various countries have hoisted the NATO-sponsored Natio-nal Transition Council's crescent and star emblazoned red-black-green flag thereby clashing with host countries.

Libyan Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Taher Elmagrahi last week defected to the NTC and hoisted their flag at the embassy in Harare.

But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Zimbabwe does not recognise the NTC and the diplomat risked deportation.

Lt-Gen Sibanda said safeguarding the interests of any country was every citizen's duty.

"I am disturbed to see that some were not singing the national anthem because they think it is for a certain group of people and not for all of us as citizens. I feel people do not realise it is the country's prayer. The first stanza is about the history of the country while the second stanza tells us about how rich Zimbabwe is.

"The third stanza outlines Zimbabwe's location between Limpopo and Zambezi and the need for wise leaders," said Lt-Gen Sibanda.

He urged Zimbabweans to be vigilant and jealously guard against the country's economic and political independence.

The army chief said sanctions that were imposed by the United States, Britain and their European allies were real and severely affecting the country.

Lt-Gen Sibanda said testing times like the illegal sanctions were only a "passing phase" in the country's history.

"Sanctions have not passed. They were crafted and put in place in such a way that people would differ and turn against the Government.

"The West has failed in such an effort but we should be careful because they are still in place and a challenge to our country's economic development.

"The hardships are a passing phase and we should not mourn over this. Our resolute commitment to safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity should continue to serve as our beacon of hope.

"We all share the pains inflicted on us by economic hardships, therefore we should not allow the Americans and British to come back and re-colonise us through the back door using some of our brothers and sisters as agents."