Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe celebrates his birthday Saturday with a lavish party, which critics have condemned as inappropriate in a country in the grip of an economic and humanitarian crisis.
Supporters of the president have raised $250,000 for the celebration in the town of Chinhoyi, north of the capital, Harare.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the president's longtime rival, plans to attend the event. The two men recently entered into a unity government under intense pressure from regional leaders.
Mr. Tsvangirai has criticized the president's birthday parties in the past, saying they waste money in a country crippled by poverty and food shortages.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
