BBC News Online: World: Africa

Mugabe facing impeachment bid

The Speaker of the Zimbabwean parliament, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has agreed to an opposition request to set up a committee to consider the impeachment of President Robert Mugabe.

The BBC correspondent in Harare says it's more bad news for Mr Mugabe, who's clearly anxious that some of his own party could support the impeachment attempt.

President Mugabe had earlier threatened to put the former Prime Minister, Ian Smith - who led the fight to keep Zimbabwe ruled by whites - on trial for genocide.

Mr Smith said he'd relish the chance to tell the world that Mr Mugabe was a gangster who'd plunged his country into anarchy.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service