Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe said on Friday his government was ready to mend relations with United States, as he congratulated president-elect Barack Obama on his election this week.

"I take this opportunity to assure you Mr President-elect that the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe remains ready to engage your government in any desirable endeavour to improve our bilateral relations," Mugabe said in a statement published in the state-run Herald newspaper.

"Mr President-elect, the challenges that now lie ahead of you are enormous and those of us in developing countries cherish the hope of working with your administration as we pursue our programmes and policies to develop our societies.

"On behalf of the government and the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to extend our hearty congratulations on your election."

Relations between Zimbabwe and the United States broke down after Washington imposed sanctions on Mugabe and members of his ruling elite following elections here in 2002, judged by western observers and the opposition to be "fundamentally flawed."

AFP