MPs from Zimbabwe's main opposition party heckled and jeered President Robert Mugabe, as he opened parliament five months after disputed polls.

"You killed people, we won't forget that," they shouted, while Mr Mugabe listed government achievements.

At the start of his speech, Mr Mugabe said there was "every expectation" that a power-sharing deal would be agreed.

The opposition says parliament should not have been opened until the deadlocked talks were concluded.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) earlier said it would boycott Mr Mugabe's speech, saying it does not recognise his legitimacy.

Following the March elections, Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF lost its majority in the House of Assembly for the first time since independence in 1980.

In his speech, Mr Mugabe said he regretted the "isolated cases of political violence" earlier this year and blamed all parties.

The MDC accuses Zanu-PF of organising a campaign of violence to ensure victory in the presidential run-off in June.
See the breakdown of parliamentary seats

It says some 200 people were killed and 200,000 forced from their homes. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew from the presidential run-off, citing the violence.

On Monday, MDC chairman Lovemore Moyo was elected speaker of the lower house.

After his victory, Mr Moyo told the BBC that parliament would no longer just "rubber-stamp" Mr Mugabe's policies.

Zanu-PF's Edna Madzongwe on Monday won the presidency of the upper house, the Senate, where Mr Mugabe's party has a majority.

'Final nail'

Mr Mugabe arrived at the opening of parliament in the capital Harare to cheers from his supporters outside, the AFP news agency reports.

As he arrived outside the parliament building in a vintage Rolls Royce, many in the crowd chanted: "He is our father. He is our leader."

MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told Reuters news agency it was wrong for Mr Mugabe to address parliament before a power-sharing deal was reached.

"The dialogue has not been completed. It is arrogant and reckless for anybody to come and address parliament," he said.

The talks, mediated by South Africa, have stalled over how powers should be divided between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, who would be named to fill the new post of prime minister.

Mr Tsvangirai has opposed the recall of parliament, saying it could jeopardise the power-sharing talks.

But the opening of parliament in Harare comes with the blessing of the regional body, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).

If Mr Mugabe now names a new cabinet, it would be the final nail in the coffin of the protracted talks, the BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Jonah Fisher says.

'New era'

On Monday, Mr Moyo became the first opposition speaker since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980.

His victory was all the more dramatic because earlier in the day police arrested two MDC lawmakers as they turned up at parliament to be sworn in.

One was later released and took the oath of office, along with his colleagues, five months after the elections.

Mr Moyo told the BBC's Network Africa programme that he was excited by his election but also "humbled and honoured" by the show of support from his colleagues.

They broke into song and dance when he was announced the winner of the secret vote.

"I feel this is the beginning of the new era in parliament, the era probably when the executive has to find ways of negotiating with the legislature in order to put through programs," he said.

Mr Moyo said he would remain neutral as a speaker but that his decision-making would be influenced by MDC policies.

Mr Moyo's position means that he will be able to take charge of controversial debates if no power-sharing deal is reached.

But Mr Moyo said MDC lawmakers would show goodwill in order to bring about a positive outcome.


Source: BBC