Tsvangirai, who entered into a unity government with President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party this month, also said the time had come to address poverty and hunger.

“This nation needs national healing. It has endured so much violence. Let's forgive those who have transgressed against us ... ,” Tsvangirai told supporters of his Movement for Democratic Change at a rally in Gweru, 220 km (140 miles) southwest of Harare.