AP
Robert Mugabe

South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki and his Nigeria counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo will press Mr. Mugabe to form a national unity government with the opposition to end the political crisis in Zimbabwe.

 South Africa and Nigeria along with Australia form a three member Commonwealth committee that will assess Zimbabwe's presidential election and recommend a possible group action. The industrialized nations in the 54-member Commonwealth want Zimbabwe suspended from the group. 

But, speaking in his inaugural address in Harare Sunday, Mr. Mugabe said Zimbabwe's people voted freely and fairly to reject imperialism. He accused the West, particularly former colonial power Britain, of backing his opponent.

 Mr. Mugabe said he will create more jobs and speed up his controversial and often violent land-reform program, which includes the seizure of white-owned farmland for redistribution to poor landless blacks.

 He took a conciliatory tone in parts of his speech — calling for Zimbabweans to unite and work for a better Zimbabwe, no matter who they voted for. 

The leaders of Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia Mozambique and Malawi attended the inauguration which was boycotted by most Western nations and the opposition. 

The United States and the European Union say they do not recognize the election results which showed Mr. Mugabe the winner over Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Movement for Democratic Change.

 Mr. Mugabe, who is 78 years old, has ruled Zimbabwe since the southern African country gained independence from Britain 22 years ago. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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