Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is preparing to go into exile after a private poll indicated he could lose hotly contested March presidential elections, Britain's 'The Times' newspaper reported on Monday.
Mugabe, 78, asked Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to reach an agreement with Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai under which Mugabe would be permitted to go into exile if defeated at the polls, the report said.
The Zimbabwe leader is battling to extend his 22-year grip on power in the southern African nation against Tsvangirai, his first significant challenger, in elections set for March 9 and 10.
Quoting an unnamed diplomatic source, The Times said Tsvangirai was summoned to Mugabe's home in Harare in January for a meeting with Obasanjo, and only accepted upon receiving assurances from Obasanjo about his safety.
The Nigerian President asked him, "If you win, what are you going to do about him?" pointing to a photo of Mugabe, who did not attend the meeting, which took place in the middle of the night.
Tsvangirai responded that he would not arrest Mugabe and would instead allow him "to leave Zimbabwe with dignity," the report said, quoting the diplomat, who asked not to be named.
Obasanjo replied, "Good. I think that is for the best."
The agreement also would allow Mugabe's wife Grace and their three children to leave the country, The Times reported, adding that Mugabe's presidential helicopter would remain on 24-hour standby for immediate departure if needed. Bureau Report