Zimbabwe aid plea fails

Zimbabwe came away empty-handed today after asking a meeting of neighbouring countries for a $2bn (€1.6bn) economic rescue package.

Foreign and finance ministers of the 15-member Southern African Development Community ended a two-day conference promising to “pursue measures in support of Zimbabwe’s economic recovery programme”.

They said heads of state will meet to discuss Zimbabwe’s request, but set no date and gave no firm commitments of cash.

Zimbabwean Finance Minister Tendai Biti had asked for a $1bn (€0.8bn) for emergency spending on schools, health and infrastructure and another $1bn for development.