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Zimbabwe latest: Robert Mugabe 'agrees to resign as president'

Mugabe agreed to resign on Sunday: AFP/Getty Images
Mugabe agreed to resign on Sunday: AFP/Getty Images

Robert Mugabe has agreed to step down as Zimbabwe president after almost four decades in power, according to state run media.

The 93-year-old is set to make an announcement on Sunday night hours after the ruling party's Central Committee fired him as party leader and said if he did not resign as president by noon on Monday it would start impeachment proceedings.

The Central Committee of Zanu-PF fired Mugabe as party chief, expelled his wife and named the recently dismissed Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa as its new head.

The decisions follow a dramatic few days in which the military put Mugabe under house arrest, angered by his firing of Mr Mnangagwa and positioning of the unpopular first lady to replace him - and probably succeed her husband as leader.

The party accuses Grace Mugabe of "preaching hate, divisiveness and assuming roles and powers not delegated to the office". She was removed as head of the women's league.

93-year-old Mugabe today met with the army commander who put him under house arrest days ago in a second round of talks on his departure after nearly four decades in power.

Zimbabwean officials have not revealed details of the talks but the military appears to favour a voluntary resignation by Mugabe to maintain a veneer of legality in the political transition.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of capital Harare to celebrate the end of Mugabe's rule, hugging and cheering the military soldiers who aided in his removal.

Mugabe ruled over Zimbabwe since it declared independence from Britain in 1980.

More follows.