"The sanctions are unwarranted and it is important that we sing the same song," he said in the state-run Herald newspaper.

"Yesterday the opposition thought sanctions would be a good weapon against the ruling party, that they would yield them a favourable position in the political system," he said.

"With time they will have summoned the courage to go to the same people and say we don't need them anymore," said the 85-year-old leader, who has ruled for nearly three decades.

"Although I know that they want them to go quickly it is not easy," he added.

Mugabe has repeatedly called for an end to the sanctions, which include a travel ban and asset freeze against him and his inner circle.

Since forming a unity government in February, Mugabe's long-time rival, the new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, has also called for an end to US sanctions, which restrict the country's ability to win financing from global lenders like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The United States last month said Zimbabwe had "a long way to go" before Washington lifts sanctions on Harare and Mugabe's cronies.

Zimbabwe is trying to raise 8.5 billion dollars over three years to support the new government and help revive the country's shattered economy.

Zimbabwe will on Saturday celebrate 29 years of independence from Britain — all under Mugabe's rule.

"Our independence by its very nature makes us one people, it unites us. Let us remain one. As one let us, therefore, prepare for ourselves a future by developing our country together," he said.

The full interview is set to be broadcast on state television later Friday.

Sapa

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