Zimbabwe: Thousands Celebrate End of Mugabe Era
Local Editor
Jubilant scenes unfolded on the streets of Zimbabwe's capital Harare, as protests demanding the resignation of President Robert Mugabe turned to a celebration of the army's role in ending his grip on power.
Meanwhile, media reported that protesters are hugging soldiers in the crowd and cheering for them.
The rally is supported by the army and members of the ruling Zanu-PF party.
War veterans - who until last year were loyal to the president - are also saying Mugabe should quit.
A man arriving at the rally said: "As Zimbabweans, we are saying to our army: Thank you very much for the peaceful intervention."
Mugabe, 93, had been under house arrest since the army takeover on Wednesday, but on Friday he made his first public appearance. He spoke only to open the graduation at a university of which he is chancellor.
His wife, Grace Mugabe, was not present. It had been thought she had left the country but it emerged on Thursday that she was at home with Mugabe.
The military made its move after a power struggle over the successor for Mugabe, who has held power for 37 years.
He sacked Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week, apparently to pave the way for his wife, who is four decades younger than him, to take over the presidency instead.
The military said it was "engaging" with Mugabe and would advise the public on the outcome of talks "as soon as possible".
Mugabe has led Zimbabwe since it gained independence from Britain in 1980.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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