Harare, 11 Feb-(ANA)-Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been sworn in as prime minister in a unity government with President Robert Mugabe.
Tsvangirai won the first round of last year's presidential election - but he withdrew from the run-off, citing violence against his supporters.
However he later agreed to share power with Mr Mugabe.
In a speech after his inauguration, Mr Tsvangirai called for an end to human rights abuses and political violence.
Addressing a rally of his supporters, he also pledged to do all in his power to help alleviate the suffering of Zimbabweans.
"Political violence must end today," he said. "We can no longer afford brother against brother, because one happened to have a different political opinion.
"I can assure that the culture of impunity and of violation of human rights must end, and it must end today."
Mr Mugabe said he would co-operate with Mr Tsvangirai.
"I offer my hand of friendship and co-operation, warm co-operation and solidarity in the service of our great country Zimbabwe," he said.
"If yesterday we were adversaries... today we stand in unity. It is a victory for Zimbabwe."
Mr Mugabe earlier administered the oath of office to Mr Tsvangirai at a ceremony in Harare.
Two deputy prime ministers were also sworn in: Thokozani Khupe, the deputy leader of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and Arthur Mutambara, the leader of a break-away faction of the MDC.
The new prime minister must deal with an economy in ruins, 90% unemployment and a cholera epidemic which has killed more than 3,400 people.
A final deal on power-sharing was reached in January, after Mr Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe following an absence of more than two months for fresh talks with Mr Mugabe.
Earlier negotiations had faltered after the MDC accused Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF of keeping the most powerful ministries - including the one that controls the police - to itself.
A minister from each party will now share the home affairs ministry.
Other important ministries the MDC will control are health, education and finance.
On Tuesday, Mr Tsvangirai named Tendai Biti, the secretary general of his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), as his choice for finance minister.
A Zimbabwean judge last week dropped treason charges against Mr Biti over an alleged coup plot, citing lack of progress in the case against him.
Mr Biti's new position will be a key one, given the country's economic collapse.
Like the rest of the bureaucracy, health, education and finance have no money to spend on reconstruction and the big international donors have said they will not grant substantial additional aid until there are real changes in how Zimbabwe is governed. (ANA)
UK/Houthis