Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe sworn in as president

The BBC's Nomsa Maseko says the crowd at the ceremony "is erupting"

Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a seventh term in office as Zimbabwe's leader.

Thursday has been declared a public holiday to allow supporters of the 89-year-old to attend the inauguration.

The ceremony had been delayed by a court petition filed by his main rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, over allegations of widespread electoral fraud.

But the Constitutional Court dismissed the case, declaring Mr Mugabe's re-election "free, fair and credible".

Mr Mugabe won with 61% of the presidential vote against 34% for Mr Tsvangirai on 31 July.

The elections ended a fragile power-sharing government formed by the two men in 2009 under pressure from regional leaders following elections the year before marred by violence and allegations of electoral fraud.

Outgoing Prime Minister and opposition leader Mr Tsvangirai said he would not be attending the inauguration ceremony.
"Expecting Tsvangirai to attend the inauguration is like expecting a victim of robbery to attend a party hosted by the robber," his spokesman, Luke Tamborinyoka, told AFP.

'Fearless revolutionary'

The BBC's Brian Hungwe in the capital, Harare, says there was an air of excitement at the national sports stadium ahead of the inauguration ceremony.
Free fizzy drinks and T-shirts reading "Mugabe fearless revolutionary" were being given to the arriving crowds, he says.
One of the banners in the stadium reads: "It's Africa versus Europe with Zimbabwe as the new battlefront", our reporter says.
The US and UK have expressed concern over the official results granting victory to Mr Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party.