Mugabe says protesters 'playing with fire'

HARARE - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe yesterday warned opponents he accused of planning violent demonstrations that they were "playing with fire".

In a broadcast speech marking 26 years of independence for his southern African nation - all of it under his rule - Mugabe said political opponents were planning "to topple the government through organising violent demonstrations".

"I want to warn them that they are playing with fire," he said.

It was the second warning Mugabe had issued since his main opponent, Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), called last month for street protests to end Mugabe's long rule.

Many Zimbabweans are suffering mounting hardship as a result of the country's economic meltdown, a situation blamed largely on Mugabe, and analysts said they now looked more likely to heed Tsvangirai's call, despite the threats of a merciless security crackdown.

- REUTERS