BREAKING News: Mugabe Makes First Public Appearance Since Overthrow (Photo)

Embattled President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe makes first public appearance since his house arrest (Photo:Al Jazeera)

 

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has appeared in public for the first time since the army's takeover earlier this week.

 

Mugabe, who was believed to be under house arrest, attended a university graduation ceremony in Harare on Friday, where he was welcomed by a cheering crowd of supporters.

 

Dressed in a blue academic gown and hat, he entered the ceremony venue surrounded by security personnel, and held a speech. 

 

This came after soldiers took control of the headquarters of the state broadcaster ZBC and blocked access to government offices on Wednesday, while denying it was part of a coup against Mugabe's government.

 

 

The president has refused to step down, amid mounting pressure from the army to allow a smooth and bloodless transition.

 

The military seeks to reinstate former Vice President Emerson Mnangagwa as first vice president and then as leader of a transitional administration.

 

According to an army statement broadcast on Zimbabwe state television on Friday, "significant progress" was made in mediation talks aimed at ending Mugabe's military house arrest.

 

-Al Jazeera