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ZIMBABWE/AIR FORCE CHIEFBack
[Published: Tuesday December 16 2008]

Zimbabwe's air force chief 'shot'

Harare, 16 Dec-(ANA)-The commander of Zimbabwe's air force has been wounded in what officials are calling an assassination attempt.

Perence Shiri, 53, a close ally of President Mugabe seen as one of the most feared military leaders, was shot in the arm and is said to be stable.

The opposition says he was one of the masterminds of violence against its supporters during this year's election.

The incident comes as pressure grows on Zimbabwe to allow international mediation in its political crisis.

The crisis is compounded by a cholera epidemic which has left hundreds dead.

On Monday, at the UN Security Council's first discussions on Zimbabwe since July, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said the world was witnessing a failure of the leadership in Zimbabwe to address the crisis.

After disputed presidential elections in March, Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) agreed to form a power-sharing government.

But implementation of that agreement, reached in September, has been dogged by disagreements over whose supporters would get key ministries.

Correspondents say this is the first time such a senior government figure has been the target of a violent attack for many years.

Air Marshal Shiri was ambushed on Saturday evening while driving to his farm, state media said.

Police said he was accosted by unknown people who shot at his car.

When he heard the gunshots, he got out thinking it was a puncture and was shot. He is now said to be recovering in hospital. (ANA)

FA/ANA/16 December 2008---

 


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