Sanday Chongo Kabange, AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad began a visit to Zimbabwe on Thursday condemned by President Robert Mugabe's opponents as a meeting of despots which could further isolate Harare. The Iranian leader is in the southern African country to open an annual trade fair.
Ahmadinejad, whose government is pursuing a nuclear programme despite threats of more United Nations sanctions, was described by the opposition as a "war-monger, a trampler of human rights [and] an executioner".
There was no official indication of any link between the two-day visit and Iran's nuclear programme, but Zimbabwe does hold uranium deposits which have yet to be exploited.
Reports out of Harare said Ahmadinejad's visit was part of a drive to strengthen ties between countries at odds with the West.
The outspoken Iran leader is expected to visit Uganda among other unknown African countries where the country has extensive dealings.
Ahmadinejad was met at Harare's international airport by Mugabe, cabinet ministers and diplomats, amid singing and chants from hundreds of Zimbabwean Muslims waving Iranian flags.
Mugabe's old foe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, and ministers from his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) did not attend the welcoming ceremony. The MDC has called the visit a "colossal political scandal" and it could increase tensions in the power-sharing government set up last year to try to end a decade of political crisis.
They attacked Ahmadinejad over his record on human rights and other issues.
The MDC said Ahmadinejad's visit would send the wrong message about Zimbabwe at a time it was trying to show the world it was working to restore democracy. Elections won by Mugabe in 2008 were condemned around the world.
"Inviting the Iranian strongman to an investment forum is like inviting a mosquito to cure malaria," it said.
Mugabe and his top officials face Western travel restrictions aimed at trying to force change.
Iran faces a possible new round of U.N. sanctions over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad began a visit to Zimbabwe on Thursday condemned by President Robert Mugabe's opponents as a meeting of despots which could further isolate Harare. The Iranian leader is in the southern African country to open an annual trade fair.
