Mugabe calls for calm amid violence ahead of elections

-- AUDIO ECHO AS INCOMING

Independence Day in Zimbabwe.

President Robert Mugabe arrives to mark the celebrations some 32 years after the country gained independence from Britain.

The ceremony highlighted Mugabe's rule.

He lit the country's independence torch.

With violence recently on the rise he also called for peace.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ZIMBABWE PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE, SAYING:

"All violence, all fights, all struggles, that are of a violent nature should be wiped out, they should not be allowed to interfere with our happiness of our groupings, no."

He blamed the violence on politicians staking claims ahead of elections.

Mugabe was forced into a power-sharing deal with long-time foe and now Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai after the 2008 election. Under the terms of the deal, elections must be held by next year.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters