The BBC's Dan Isaacs reports on the causes of the unrest (4'00")

Reports from Zimbabwe say that life on the streets of the capital, Harare, is slowly returning to normal after three consecutive days of rioting.

At least three people are reported to have been killed in the protests which were triggered by a 21% rise in the price of the staple maize meal.

The government has since overturned the increase and says it is negotiating with manufacturers to bring down the cost of food.

Tear gas was used during the unrest to keep people away from the city centre

On Wednesday, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe appointed three cabinet ministers to review the range of price rises which triggered the riots.

Mr Mugabe has blamed the disturbances on a political conspiracy. But in a joint statement, human rights organisations accused the government of mismanaging the economy and creating a culture of confrontation.

Army deployed on the streets

The Interior Minister outlines the government's tough line (22")

In response to the civil unrest, Interior Minister, Dumiso Dabengwa, warned on Tuesday that soldiers would use live ammunition against looters.

Mr Dabengwa said the entire army had been put on a state of alert.

"They will be carrying live ammunition and will not hesitate to shoot troublemakers," Mr Dabengwa told reporters.

He added that the government had been "left with no choice" over its deployment of the army to ensure that the need for state security was not sacrificed under the banner of the democratic right to demonstrate.

The Interior Ministry however refused to give the number of troops who had been deployed in the capital, but said the entire army of some 40,000 was on alert in case the rioting spread.

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