'Go hang' Zimbabwe's Mugabe tells defeated foe

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe on Monday said those upset by his disputed landslide election victory could "go hang".

   

The 89-year-old vowed never to let go of his victory as his opponent Morgan Tsvangirai lodged a petition in court challenging the election outcome.

   

"Those who were hurt by defeat can go hang if they so wish," Mugabe told thousands at a rally to honour heroes of the country's liberation wars.

   

"Never will we go back on our victory."

   

Mugabe was declared winner of the July 31 election with 61 percent of the vote against Tsvangirai's 34 percent.

   

Tsvangirai's lawyers on Friday filed a petition at the constitutional court challenging the vote, which extended Mugabe's 33-year rule by another five years.

   

"We are delivering democracy on a platter. We say take it or leave it, but the people have delivered democracy," Mugabe said.

   

Sapa-AFP