Zimbabwe to withdraw troops from diamond zone

Zimbabwe promised to withdraw its soldiers from diamond fields in the east, an official newspaper reported – a week after a rights group alleged the military was committing killings and abuses in the area.

The move appeared to be an attempt to diffuse criticism over the military’s takeover of the Marange diamond fields and ensure that Zimbabwe’s precious stones won’t be tainted with the “blood diamond” label by activists, which would reduce their value.