HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP):

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe swore in his long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister yesterday, ushering in a unity government in an extraordinary concession after nearly three decades of virtually unchallenged rule.

There had been pressure for Mugabe - who remains president in the coalition - to step down altogether, and questions remain about whether a partnership can work after a long history of state-sponsored violence against Tsvangirai and his supporters.

Mugabe, who recently declared "Zimbabwe is mine", went further yesterday than many would have expected. He stood to face Tsvangirai as an equal in a white tent on the grounds of the presidential palace.

Regional leaders watched from the tent and Zimbabweans across the country watched on state TV as Tsvangirai raised his right hand and declared: "I will well and truly serve Zimbabwe in the office of prime minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe, so help me God."

Both Tsvangirai and Mugabe were relaxed and smiling during the brief ceremony, which also included the swearing-in of Tsvangirai's deputies, Arthur Mutambara, of a breakaway opposition party, and Thokozani Khupe of Tsvangirai's party.

Too early to celebrate

Ian Stephens, a Harare businessman, said it was too early to celebrate the new government.

"It depends on how cooperative Mugabe is and whether he can be trusted," Stephens said. "Mugabe no longer has absolute power and that could be the turning point."