26 Sep 2009

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has accused Western countries of 'filthy antics' aimed at undermining a power-sharing government forged in February.

During his remarks, which were made at the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday, Mugabe pointed out that the United States and European Union had refused to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe.

"Some of them (western countries) are working strenuously to divide the parties in Inclusive government-if they will not assist the Inclusive government in rehabilitating our economy, could they please, please stop their filthy, clandestine, divisive antics. Where stand their humanitarian principles? Where stand their humanitarian principles we ask, when their illegal sanctions are ruining the lives of our children?" Mugabe told the delegates.

The African country which gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1980 has long been under US and EU sanctions.

Zimbabwe says it needs $10 billion in foreign reconstruction aid. Western countries, however, are reluctant to release cash saying the country should carry out further political and economic reform promised as part of a power-sharing pact.

presstv