16 May 2008

Zimbabwean 'President Elect' In Belfast

As the election controversy rumbles on in Mugabe's financially devastated country, the Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai - who appeared to have won the disputed elections in the troubles country last month - will be in Belfast today for a political conference of international liberal parties.

The 55th Congress of Liberal International umbrella group has been organised by Northern Ireland's Alliance Party.

Delegates from over 60 countries are expected to attend.

The Movement for Democratic Change leader is believed to have defeated Robert Mugabe in the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential elections, but according to the country's electoral commission without sufficient votes to avoid a run-off.

The MDC has branded the decision illegal and unfair.

Today, Mr Tsvangirai will address the issue of ending division and the problems created by prejudice in Belfast.

He has been abroad since the disputed presidential election in Zimbabwe last March.

He and Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade are both due to address the congress.

Mr Tsvangirai's visit to the congress will be his last stop before returning to Zimbabwe.

Ahead of the meeting, Leader of the Alliance Party David Ford called Mr Tsvangirai a beacon of hope for the whole world and said: "Getting the chance to host this congress is a massive boost for Belfast.

"This is the first time that Northern Ireland has ever hosted the prestigious Liberal International Congress. This gives us the chance of a lifetime to showcase Northern Ireland to powerbrokers from across the globe.

"The Alliance Party's global links within Liberal International are extremely important, and I only wish all other parties in Northern Ireland took such a broad world-view."

Meanwhile, the President of Liberal International - and former Stormont Speaker - Lord Alderdice, said Mr Tsvangirai had the full support of the organisation.

(BMcC)