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17:46 GMT, Tuesday, 26 August 2008 18:46 UK

In pictures: Zimbabwe parliament

A guard of honour during parliament's opening ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe, 26 August 2008

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Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe was heckled and jeered as he opened parliament during a colourful ceremony in Harare.

Robert Mugabe arrives for the opening of parliament in Harare, Zimbabwe, 26 August 2008

Robert Mugabe arrives for the opening of parliament in Harare, Zimbabwe, 26 August 2008

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As Mr Mugabe arrived outside the parliament building in a vintage Rolls Royce, crowds of Zanu-PF supporters chanted: "He is our father. He is our leader."

MDC supporters sing and dance as they watch their party legislators enter parliament, during the opening ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe, 26 August 2008

MDC supporters sing and dance as they watch their party legislators enter parliament, during the opening ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe, 26 August 2008

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Supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change sang and danced as they watched their party legislators enter parliament.

Lovemore Moyo, Zimbabwe parliament's new speaker, sits on the speaker's chair in Harare, 25 August 2008

Lovemore Moyo, Zimbabwe parliament's new speaker, sits on the speaker's chair in Harare, 25 August 2008

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The day after MDC chairman Lovemore Moyo was elected speaker, opposition MPs interrupted Mr Mugabe's 30-minute opening address in an unprecedented display of shouting and singing.

Screen grab of the opening ceremony, Harare, 26 August 2008

Screen grab of the opening ceremony, Harare, 26 August 2008

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Mr Mugabe's speech, which was broadcast live on national television, was drowned out as he tried to outline his plans for the next parliamentary session.

Screen grab of an air fly-by at the opening ceremony, Harare, 26 August 2008

Screen grab of an air fly-by at the opening ceremony, Harare, 26 August 2008

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Although Mr Mugabe talks of sharing power, shortly after the ceremony - which involved a fly-past - the MDC said three MPs had been arrested on trumped-up charges.

Screen grab of judges at the opening ceremony, Harare, 26 August 2008

Screen grab of judges at the opening ceremony, Harare, 26 August 2008

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In March elections, Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF lost its majority in the House of Assembly for the first time since independence in 1980.

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