Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, the world's oldest national ruler, turned 93 on Tuesday, using a long and occasionally rambling interview to vow to remain in power despite growing signs of frailty. He celebrated with his staff in a private ceremony in Harare as supporters and ruling ZANU-PF party officials filled state media with gushing messages of goodwill and congratulations.
During an hour-long, pre-recorded television interview broadcast late Monday, Mugabe appeared to grow increasingly tired, pausing at length between sentences and speaking with his eyes barely open.
"The call to step down must come from my party... In such circumstances I will step down," he said.
"They want me to stand for elections... If I feel that I can't do it any more, I will say so to my party so that they relieve me. But for now, I think I can't say so.
"The majority of the people feel that there is no replacement - a successor who to them is acceptable."
Mugabe, who has ridiculed regular reports that he is close to death, spoke about creating jobs in Zimbabwe's wrecked economy, the country's extreme cash shortage and his much-criticised wife.
Sitting in State House, his official residence in Harare, he appeared lucid at some points while at other times he drawled and lost track of his thoughts.
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