Embattled President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe makes first public appearance since his house arrest
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has appeared in public for the first time since the army's takeover earlier this week.

Mugabe, who was believed to be under house arrest, attended a university graduation ceremony in Harare on Friday, where he was welcomed by a cheering crowd of supporters.

Dressed in a blue academic gown and hat, he entered the ceremony venue surrounded by security personnel, and held a speech.

This came after soldiers took control of the headquarters of the state broadcaster ZBC and blocked access to government offices on Wednesday, while denying it was part of a coup against Mugabe's government.



The president has refused to step down, amid mounting pressure from the army to allow a smooth and bloodless transition.

The military seeks to reinstate former Vice President Emerson Mnangagwa as first vice president and then as leader of a transitional administration.

According to an army statement broadcast on Zimbabwe state television on Friday, "significant progress" was made in mediation talks aimed at ending Mugabe's military house arrest.