Archbishop of Canterbury requests meeting with Robert Mugabe

The Archbishop of Canterbury has asked to meet with Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe in October as part of his tour of central Africa.

Dr Rowan Williams is due to visit Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia amid reports that rival factions of Anglicans in Zimbabwe have been involved in months of violent clashes and legal wrangles between the warring worshippers loyal to Bishop Nolbert Kunonga and his rival Dr Chad Gandiya. Last year Zimbabwe's Anglican Communion was split in two as the violence and rivalry intensified. Dr Williams visit to Harare will be the first British representation of prominence since 2001. The Foreign Office has endorsed the Archbishop's visit, saying it understood "the desire to support [the Anglicans]".The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, once famously cut up his dog collar on television in protest at Robert Mugabe and his "violent" regime. He vowed not to wear it until Mugabe had left office. Primarily Dr Williams' visit will see him meet with bishops and clergymen as well as looking at church development initiatives. Dr Williams head office at Lambeth Palace said it had not received a response yet from Mugabe in relation to the request, reports the BBC. The Foreign Office also pointed out that the tour was a pastoral visit and as the head of the Anglican Church - he is not a representative of the government.