Ex-trade union leader takes office as PM

Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in as prime minister yesterday after months of wrangling with President Robert Mugabe over a power-sharing deal aimed at rescuing the ruined country.

The pact agreed in September raised hopes a new leadership could ease widespread hardships, but mistrust and continued quarrels between the old foes have put doubts over whether they can work together to ensure aid and investment flows in.

Tsvangirai, 56, was sworn in by Mugabe, 84, who has ruled with his ZANU-PF party since independence from Britain in 1980. Tsvangirai gave a little smile as he finished taking the oath in front of his old enemy.