Zimbabwe: Election chief Mutambanengwe resigns

Elections in Zimbabwe in 2008 were marred by violence and allegations of vote-rigging

Zimbabwe's election chief has resigned citing ill health, state media reports.

Simpson Mutambanengwe resignation comes as Zimbabwe gears up for a crucial constitutional referendum and elections later this year.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai had been pushing for key reforms to guarantee free elections.

The poll will herald the end of the shaky coalition he formed with President Robert Mugabe after the 2008 election, which was marred by violence.

Mr Tsvangirai - the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) - boycotted a run-off vote in 2008 after claiming he had been robbed of victory during the first round.

Mr Tsvangirai and Mr Mugabe are expected to run against each other in the election.

Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party was also accused of unleashing violence against MDC supporters, an allegation it denied.

Justice Minister Chinamasa said that Mr Mugabe had accepted the resignation of Mr Mutambanengwe, a retired judge who took the post after the controversial 2008 poll, the state-owned Herald newspaper reports.

"The resignation is on the grounds of health," Mr Chinamasa is quoted as saying

His replacement would be chosen after discussions involving the coalition partners, Mr Chinamasa added.

Last month, New York-based campaign group Human Rights Watch called for reforms to the electoral body, judiciary and media, alleging they were loyal to Zanu-PF.

Following talks later in the month, Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai said they had reached a deal over a new constitution, removing a key obstacle to elections.

They said the constitution would be put to a referendum.

Once approved by voters, elections are to be held.

Pope Benedict thanks public for 'love and prayers'

The Pope said he was resigning for the "good of the Church"

Pope at general audience - 13 February The Pope said he was resigning for the "good of the Church"

Pope Benedict XVI has thanked the public for their "love and prayers", as he makes his first public appearance since announcing his resignation.

The Pope was cheered by crowds as he entered and began speaking, at a weekly audience in a hall at the Vatican.

He said he resigned "for the good of the Church", aware of his own declining spiritual and physical strength.

Later he will hold what is expected to be his last public Mass, for Ash Wednesday, in St Peter's Basilica.

The 85-year-old will continue with his diary as usual until the day he officially retires at the end of February, Vatican officials say.

By the end of Lent, in six weeks' time, there is expected to be a new Pope.

The Pope is holding his weekly general audience at its traditional venue, the audience hall in the Vatican.

Thousands of people gathered in the hall to greet him, giving him a standing ovation as he arrived, and cheering as he began and finished speaking.

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says he looked tired and drawn.

Pope Benedict thanked them for their warm greeting and their sympathy.

"Thank you for the love and prayer with which you have accompanied me... Keep praying for me, for the Church and for the future pope," he said.

He said he was aware of the gravity of his decision to resign but also of his declining strength, adding that he was certain the Church would sustain him with prayer.

"I did this in full liberty for the good of the Church," he added.

               

.Pope Benedict XVI

.Pope Benedict XVI in January 2013 in the Vatican

    .At 78, one of the oldest new popes in history when elected in 2005

    .Born in Germany in 1927, joined Hitler Youth during WWII and was conscripted as an anti-aircraft gunner - but deserted

    .As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, spent 24 years in charge of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - once known as the Holy Office of the Inquisition

    .A theological conservative with uncompromising views on homosexuality and women priests

The afternoon Mass has been relocated. The pontiff had been scheduled to celebrate Ash Wednesday at the small Sant' Anselmo church, then lead a procession to Santa Sabina Basilica on Rome's Aventine Hill.

The Vatican said the change to St Peter's was to accommodate the crowds, but it will also save the Pope the effort of the procession.

"It will be an important concelebration, and the last led by the Holy Father in St Peter's," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.

Pope Benedict will anoint the foreheads of the faithful with ashes, in a service attended by cardinals, bishops, monks, friars and pilgrims.

Ash Wednesday begins Lenten season, a period of penitence before Easter - celebrated this year by western Christians at the end of March and beginning of April.

The Vatican holds a Lenten retreat from 17 to 24 February. The Pope will hold one more Wednesday audience on 27 February, again in St Peter's Square.

At 78, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of the oldest popes in history at his election.

He took the helm as one of the fiercest storms the Catholic Church has faced in decades - the scandal of child sex abuse by priests - was breaking.

The pontiff said in his Monday's statement: "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry."