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Zimbabwe’s former president Robert Mugabe was granted immunity from prosecution and assured that his safety would be protected in his home country as part of a deal that led to his resignation, sources close to the negotiations said on Thursday, Reuters reports.

Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years, since he took power in 1980. His stepping down on Tuesday paved way for former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa to take lead as the country’s new president.

Mnangagwa, is set to be sworn in as president on Friday.