Former Malaysian prime minister Mahatir Mohamad arrived in Zimbabwe Monday for a three-day working visit, Zimbabwe state radio announced. Mahatir was met at Harare International Airport by President Robert Mugabe, his wife Grace, government ministers and senior officials, the radio report was carried by dpa. During his visit Mahatir is expected to deliver a speech at the Harare International Conference Centre on civil service reform, it added. The former Malaysian leader, who ruled his country for 22 years before stepping down in 2003, is considered a close friend of the 82- year old Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for 25 years. Malaysia and China are considered key to Mugabe's "Look East" policy. The policy is aimed at finding new markets for Zimbabwean products, away from traditional Western ones. --SP 2351 Local Time 2051 GMT
