Zimbabwe army chief to step down

Zvinvashe may be considering taking up a political role

The head of Zimbabwe's Defence Forces has announced that he is to resign at the end of the year.

General Vitalis Zvinavashe is a close ally of President Robert Mugabe and like many army commanders, fought in the war which brought him to power.

Before last year's presidential poll, he warned that the army would not accept an opposition victory.

But earlier this year, he denied reports that he was trying to negotiate a deal with the opposition.

General Zvinavashe was also named by the United Nations as one of those who had personally benefited from the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in which Zimbabwe intervened.

Political role

Correspondents say that the change in the army leadership is unlikely to change the character of the army leaders, who are mostly loyal to Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.

Most army commanders back Mugabe

Reuters news agency reports that he could be replaced by Air Marshall Perence Shiri, another Mugabe ally, who played a key role in supressing the 1980s dissent in south-western Zimbabwe, which left up to 20,000 people dead.

Reuters also reports that he may be considering taking up a full-time political role, possibly running in the parliamentary by-election created by the death of Vice-President Simon Muzenda.

One government and Zanu-PF official said the general, for whom Mr Mugabe hosted a farewell party at his State House residence on Monday, had indicated that he was "available for any state and party duties".

In January, at a time when many government officials were denying the extent of Zimbabwe's economic problems and food shortages, or blaming a western plot, he was quoted as saying: "We must admit there is a crisis - it is not right to keep quiet and let nature take its course".

At the same time, he denied media reports that he had spoken to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai about negotiating a safe exit for Mr Mugabe.