The presidents of Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe Monday agreed to build a bridge across the Zambezi River at a point that links the three southern African neighbours, dpa reported. The parties will construct the bridge on the shortest possible route across the Zambezi River, Zimbabwe's Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said in televised comments after the three presidents met at President Robert Mugabe's official Harare residence. The bridge is to be built near Kazungula, a settlement at the northwest tip of Zimbabwe, where Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia meet. Until now pontoon rafts have provided transport across the Zambezi for people and vehicles. Mumbengegwi said the leaders had agreed that the bridge should be equally owned by the three countries. Botswana president Festus Mogae and Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa left Harare shortly after signing the memorandum of understanding, the television said.
