HARARE - ZIMBABWE'S President Robert Mugabe, defiant despite growing African condemnation of his re-election, said the opposition must drop its claim to power and accept that he was the rightful head of state.
As Mr Mugabe struck an intransigent stance, both Nigeria and Botswana rejected his re-election because of pre-poll violence which the opposition says killed 103 of its supporters.
Mr Mugabe returned home from Egypt on Friday after an African Union summit earlier in the week which handed him an unprecedented rebuff, saying he should negotiate a national unity government with Mr Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC opposition.
He told thousands of cheering supporters at the airport: 'Tsvangirai and his group must disabuse themselves of their claim (to power).'
He added: 'We are open to dialogue but reality is reality and it has to be accepted... I am the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.'
Mr Mugabe extended his 28-year rule in a June 27 election which Mr Tsvangirai boycotted, saying a violent, government-backed campaign made a fair vote impossible.
Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, expressed strong displeasure at both the violent campaign and its result.
'We therefore do not consider the outcome of that election as a basis for moving forward,' Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe told reporters.
Botswana called on the Southern African Development Community, the regional body mediating in Zimbabwe, not to recognise the former guerrilla commander's election.
Botswana, which neighbours Zimbabwe, was one of the most outspoken critics of Mr Mugabe, 84, at the summit.
Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said on Friday a violent crackdown by security forces and pro-Mugabe militias had killed 103 of its followers while 1,500 had been detained.
Some 5,000 others, including polling agents, were missing after being abducted by ruling ZANU-PF militia or security agents since Mr Tsvangirai defeated Mr Mugabe in a first round of voting in March.
Mr Mugabe remained defiant.
In remarks apparently aimed at Botswana and Zambia, another regional critic, Mr Mugabe said: 'If there are some who may want to fight us, they should think twice. We don't intend to fight any neighbours. We are a peaceful country, but if there is a ...neighbouring country that is itching for a fight, ah, then let them try it.' -- REUTERS
