Zimbabwe president Mugabe refuses to stand down despite deadline

Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has refused to step down as leader of the country despite pressure from his own Zanu-PF party and the army.

Mugabe had been given a deadline of noon local time on Monday to resign as president, but surprised viewers on state TV by ending the speech without an offer to quit.

Military officials temporarily took control of the government last week after a leadership battle in the country which saw plans to replace Mugabe with his wife Grace.

Zanu-PF have now said they are ready to begin the impeachment process in order to remove the leader, who has been in charge for 37 years.

A draft motion published by the party said Mugabe is a "source of instability" and the main culprit in the hyperinflation which has enveloped Zimbabwe for decades.

During his speech on Sunday Mugabe said he acknowledged the concerns of the army, but urged Zimbabweans not to be duped by “bitterfulness or revengefulness”.

"We must learn to forgive and resolve contradictions real or perceived in a comradely Zimbabwean spirit," he said.

A bitter feud has erupted in recent months over who Mugabe’s successor will be with the longstanding leader reportedly in ill health.