Zimbabwe deal: World quotes

Politicians from around the world have been reacting to the power-sharing deal signed by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai, who is set to become prime minister.

UK FOREIGN SECRETARY DAVID MILIBAND

The British government welcomes the prospect of a turn in the tide of suffering in Zimbabwe. We hope that this agreement will allow Zimbabwe to chart a new course towards economic recovery and political stability.

We will of course be studying the detail of the agreement closely. What matters now is not just the words in the agreement but the way it functions and the actions the new government takes on the ground. We hope that the new government will now reverse the tragic policies and decline of recent years.

The new government needs to start to rebuild the country. If it does so, Britain and the rest of the international community will be quick to support them.

AFRICAN UNION CHAIRMAN JAKAYA KIKWETE

Will it hold or will it not? That is the question.

This is a great day for the SADC [Southern African Development Community] region, for the continent and indeed a very good step forward. for the world at large.

Zimbabwe's success is our success. The people of Tanzania will always support you

EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF JAVIER SOLANA

It's still not very clear what is going to be the outcome of the agreement but the first reaction, that positive reaction, we think that it opens a new page probably and we like very much to help in that development.

But we will take all the final decisions at the beginning of October and in our first Council, in which the situation will be more clear.

ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRANCO FRATTINI

I think the agreement with the opposition is a very good step forward.

I think what is very important now is to follow the implementation of the, I would say, national unity agreement between the opposition and the majority.