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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nZimbabwe\u2019s new President Emmerson Mnangagwa is seeking the removal of sanctions imposed by Western countries, saying they are crippling national development.<\/p>\n
He also indicated that elections due next July could be brought forward.<\/p>\n
Speaking to governing Zanu-PF party leaders, Mr Mnangagwa said the government would do everything to make sure they were credible, free and fair.<\/p>\n
Mr Mnangagwa became president last month after Robert Mugabe was ousted.<\/p>\n
Mr Mnangagwa is expected to be endorsed on Friday as party leader and presidential candidate for Zanu-PF at the elections.<\/p>\n
Mr Mugabe, 93, has not been seen in public since he was forced out of office by the military after 37 years in power.<\/p>\n
However, former spokesman George Charamba said he had flown to Singapore for a routine medical check-up.<\/p>\n
A United States travel and economic embargo remains in place for several Zanu-PF officials, senior members of the military and state-owned companies.<\/p>\n
The Trump administration has said the sanctions will not be removed unless political reforms take place.<\/p>\n
The European Union continues an arms embargo as well as sanctions against Mr Mugabe, his wife Grace and the firm Zimbabwe Defence Industries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe call for the unconditional lifting of the political and economic sanctions, which have crippled our national development,\u201d Mr Mnangagwa told party leaders in central Harare.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe realise that isolation is not splendid or viable as there is more to gain through solidarity; mutually beneficial partnerships.\u201d<\/p>\n
The president also said that elections were \u201cnearer than you expect\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Source: BBC<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Homepage](\"https:\/\/ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Telesol-ad.jpg\")
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