Mugabe and Tsvangirai say Zimbabwe unity government is working

"I want to join his excellence in conveying a positive assessment of the inclusive government which is now 23 months if I am not mistaken. I think we have made significant progress in the platforms we had designed, in terms of the economy, in terms of social delivery, water sanitation," said Tsvangirai.Mugabe, who sounded conciliatory and joked with reporters, had blasted his rivals at a weekend conference of his ZANU-PF party where he called for a vote to dissolve the coalition.

The two rivals and Arthur Mutambara, who leads a splinter Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, were forced into coalition last year but the union has been rocked by problems over power-sharing from start.

"There will be a process towards elections and general elections, that's what is envisaged there, but as the prime minister told you, parties we have different opinions , these opinions naturally will be discussed," Mugabe told journalists, while flanked by Tsvangirai and Mutambara. Tsvangirai, who has accused Mugabe of unilateral government decisions said the unity administration would not disintegrate.

"And we are committed as leaders to ensure that the next election is certainly not characterised by a culture of violence, that demon must be ostracised, because it's a demon that no one wants," added Tsvangirai.

The unity government is credited with stabilising an economy crushed by hyperinflation about two years ago and reducing political violence.

But critics say Mugabe, 86 and in power for three decades, is stalling on the critical media, electoral and security reforms needed for a free and fair vote.