Tsvangirai urges US to support inclusive gov't

WASHINGTON - Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is urging the United States to support his government despite abuses by his coalition partner, President Robert Mugabe.

Tsvangirai plans to make his case Friday in a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama as part of a three week tour of Western countries. He also will meet Thursday with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

In a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, Tsvangirai said his country was implementing Democratic reform. He said two ministers close to Mugabe should resign but did not say the president should quit. He warned that the government could collapse without outside support.

Western leaders have long isolated Zimbabwe, accusing Mugabe of trampling on democracy. - AP