Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe returned home from Singapore today, appearing fit and defying reports that he was seriously ill.
The 88-year-old leader bounded down the stairs of a chartered plane, accompanied by his wife and was met at Harare's main airport by senior government officials, including his potential successor, vice president Joice Mujuru.
Mr Mugabe did not speak to reporters and was taken away in his official presidential motorcade.Mugabe is one of Africa's longest serving leaders and has ruled the former British colony in southern Africa since 1980. He is sharing power with political rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in a fragile coalition formed three years ago.
Earlier this week, Zimbabwean officials denied reports Mugabe was seriously ill in Singapore, saying he is well and on holiday with his family.
"The man is alive and fit," information minister Webster Shamu, a member of Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front party, told reporters at the airport.
Mr Mugabe made several trips to Asia last year to receive treatment for cataracts, according to Zanu-PF officials.
He has visited Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, where medical care is far better than in his impoverished state. The 88-year-old president has been the subject of several health scares in recent years, with some reports saying he has prostate cancer, which he denies.
Reuters