The President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, has made it clear he has no intention of stepping down, despite widespread disillusion at his leadership after 18 years. From Harare here's our Africa correspondent, Jeremy Vine.

Robert Mugabe told supporters he regarded as traitors those calling for his resignation in a week that saw a two-day national strike. He is not in the habit of acknowledging his critics so pointedly, particularly when they attack his own position as President. And his words suggest he now believes his leadership of Zimbabwe may be perched precariously. An economic crisis has driven up taxes and prices, and this week saw thousands of workers stay at home two days running.

Speaking in Urungwe, Mr Mugabe, accompanied by hand-picked ministers from his cabinet, said those calling for his retirement were working to please their paymasters. He said some government officials and others in his party were in cahoots, putting out word that he'd been there too long and should go. But those ideas he said would destroy the people's wish. He called his critics traitors and insincere people.

Throughout this crisis, there has never been any suggestion that Mr Mugabe might go quietly, leaving the presidency he captured 18 years ago when Zimbabwe won independence.

He is regarded as headstrong and out of touch by many observers here, but still wily enough to have ensured a potential successor is nowhere to be seen. Pockets of dissent have been temporarily silenced by strategic concessions, but they can only go so far and the malfunctioning economy has strictly limited the President's options. Put simply, he no longer has the money to pay off his enemies.
 

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