ZIMBABWE ZOOMERANGS

HARARE : Zimbabwe's former president Robert Mugabe granted immunity from prosecution and assured that his safety will be protected in his home country-

Under a deal that lead to his resignation, sources close to the negotiations said on Thursday.

Mugabe, who had led  Zimbabwe from independence in 1980, stepped down on Tuesday after the army seized power and the ruling party turned against him.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, the former vice president sacked by Mugabe earlier this month, is all set to be sworn in as president on Friday.

A government's source said Mugabe, who is 93 and was the world's oldest serving head of state,  told negotiators he wanted to die in Zimbabwe and had no plans to live in exile.

''It was very emotional for him and he was forceful about it,'' said the source, who is not authorised to speak on the details of the negotiated settlement.