Tsvangirai calls for national reconciliation
Updated on 22 February 2009
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has called for national reconciliation and forgiveness after years of political conflict in the country.
Mr Tsvangirai, who entered into a unity government with President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party this month, also said the time had come to address poverty and hunger.
He said: "This nation needs national healing. It has endured so much violence. Let's forgive those who have transgressed against us.
"If there's no national healing, there won't be progress."
Zimbabwe's new government urgently needs to find a solution to the country's economic meltdown that has led to the world's highest inflation and a worthless currency.
Mr Tsvangirai said last week it would cost as much as $5 billion (£3.48bn) to repair the shattered economy.
He said that Mr Mugabe, himself and Arthur Mutambara - leader of a breakaway MDC faction - were committed to the unity government.
"We realised that the time had come to sort out this mess. There is absolute poverty and hunger in this country. This is what prompted us to work with Zanu-PF and I am sure that is what also prompted Zanu-PF to agree to this inclusive government," Mr Tsvangirai said.
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