Mugabe flies to Equatorial Guinea

Mugabe will be in Equatorial Guinea for three days

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is in Equatorial Guinea to discuss a suspected failed coup plot by foreign mercenaries to topple the regime there.

Mr Mugabe is due to meet his counterpart, President Obiang Nguema, during his three-day visit.

In September, a court in Zimbabwe jailed 68 people, including a Briton, in connection with the alleged plot.

Nineteen people - including eight South Africans - are on trial in Equatorial Guinea for the suspected coup.

No extradition agreement

"The two leaders are expected to discuss the issue of the terrorists arrested in Zimbabwe in March while on their way to stage a coup against Comrade Nguema," Zimbabwe's state radio said.

Equatorial Guinea's state controlled media welcomed Mr Mugabe's visit, saying "in adversity and illness we recognise real friends".

Sixty-seven of those jailed in Zimbabwe, all South African citizens, had been found guilty of violating immigration and aviation laws, while the Briton, Simon Mann, was jailed for seven years for trying to buy weapons without a licence.

Zimbabwe's Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi had said the group could not be extradited from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea as there was no such arrangement between the two states.

Sir Mark Thatcher has been accused of involvement in the coup attempt - charges he denies - and has appeared in court in Cape Town, as his lawyers argued against an order forcing him to answer questions relating to the plot.

The trial in the Equatorial Guinea capital, Malabo, has been suspended but is due to begin again this month.