Zimbabwe judge strikes deal with government

The government of Zimbabwe has struck a deal with the country's most senior judge after trying to dismiss him from his post.

According to the agreement, the judge -- Anthony Gubbay -- will remain as Chief Justice until the end of June, but will take immediate pre-retirement leave, opening the way for the government to go ahead with its plan to appoint a replacement.

Correspondents say the deal avoids a constitutional crisis with two judges claiming to head the judiciary.

The government also promised that no steps would be taken to remove any other judge unlawfully, and withdrew its accusation that Mr Gubbay, who's white, was biased in favour of Zimbabwe's white minority. The judge found his position threatened after challenging the government's use of special decrees to by-pass the constitution on several issues.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service