Mugabe goes to Singapore, Kuwait for Afro-Arab talks

HARARE - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has left for an Arab-African summit in Kuwait, state media said Thursday, adding that he will also stop over in Singapore where he normally goes for medical treatment.

He flew out of the country Wednesday heading to Singapore ahead of the summit scheduled for next week.

"He will first pass through Singapore on his way to Kuwait, and visit Dubai on his way back home," said the state-run Herald daily.

Mugabe will be away from the country for 10 days, said the paper.

State-owned Spot FM Radio said Mugabe will join more than 60 leaders from African and Arab countries.

According to the African Union, the summit aimed at bolstering Afro-Arab cooperation will take place in Kuwait City from November 19 to 20.

Mugabe, 89, who is under a travel ban imposed by the European Union and the United States makes regular visits to Singapore and sometimes Malaysia for medical checks.

The ageing leader, who is Africa's oldest serving president, often dismisses rumours about his failing health, saying eye cataracts have been his only health concern.

Whistleblower website WikiLeaks two years ago published a 2008 US diplomatic cable saying that central bank chief Gideon Gono had told the US ambassador that Mugabe had prostate cancer.