Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Zimbabwe opposition Movement for Democratic Change, was sworn in on Wednesday as prime minister in a unity government.

Tsvangirai, 56, was sworn in by President Robert Mugabe in a ceremony in Harare.

The swearing-in marks the second step towards the creation of an inclusive government in Zimbabwe under the Sept. 15 agreement signed by the country's three main political players, the ruling Zanu-PF and the two opposition MDC formations.

The first step was the creation of the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee two weeks ago.

The formation of the committee and Tsvangirai's swearing are expected to lead to the final stage of the swearing in of inclusive government cabinet ministers on Friday, bringing to an end the long process that has seen the Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders shuttling between Harare and South Africa in the last six months in a bid to find an amicable solution to the Zimbabwean issue.

Zimbabweans from all walks of life, who have been reeling under economic hardships, have high expectations from the inclusive government. Many have hailed SADC leaders and the African continent for supporting efforts to settle the Zimbabwean issue.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2009)