EXCLUSIVE-INTERVIEW-Mugabe dismisses rumours of poor health

Thu Sep 9, 2010 10:38am GMT

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* Mugabe, 86, appears fit and lively

* Says God helping Zimbabwe with mineral discoveries

By Cris Chinaka

HARARE, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Thursday dismissed rumours of ill-health, laughing off suggestions that he was dying of cancer and had recently suffered a stroke.

In an interview with Reuters at his official Zimbabwe House offices, Mugabe, 86, said he was surprised by speculation over his health, saying this had become a perennial issue and he hardly paid any serious attention to it.

"I don't know how many times I die but nobody has ever talked about my resurrection," he said at the end of an hour-long interview.

"I suppose they don't want to, because it would mean they would mention my resurrection several times and that would be quite divine, an achievement for an individual who is not divine.

"Jesus died once, and resurrected only once, and poor Mugabe several times," he said, clapping his hands loudly, laughing and rocking in his chair. Continued...

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