Robert Mugabe has appeared in public for the first time since the military takeover in Zimbabwe.
The President spoke at a graduation ceremony in Harare amid political turmoil over the likely end of his 37-year rule.
Mr Mugabe was taken into military custody this week in what the Zimbabwean army described as a “bloodless correction”.
He has insisted he remains in charge but looks almost certain to be forced from office if he refuses to step down, with his ruling Zanu-PF party stating there “is no going back”.
Senior party figures were set to meet on Friday to draft a resolution to dismiss Mr Mugabe and lay the ground for his impeachment if he refuses to stand down.
“If he becomes stubborn, we will arrange for him to be fired on Sunday,” a senior party source said. “When that is done, it’s impeachment on Tuesday.”
Witnesses reported seeing the Presidential motorcade moving through the capital on Friday as a helicopter hovered overheard.
Mr Mugabe was later seen at Zimbabwe Open University’s graduation ceremony, where a red carpet had been laid out. Reports from those in attendance suggested he was set to fulfil his traditional role of greeting students as they collect their graduation caps.
One witness said the audience cheered as he began speaking.
#Zimbabwe open university graduation ceremony… the red carpet and security is ready. Usually a sign President Robert Mugabe is coming to personally cap the graduates pic.twitter.com/yCrS8a1rcR
— harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) November 17, 2017
Mr Mugabe had been in military custody, reportedly with his wife Grace Mugabe, since the military takeover on Tuesday night.
On Thursday he held talks with army chiefs and envoys from South Africa about his future.
South African President Jacob Zuma, speaking in his country’s parliament, said the political situation “very shortly will be becoming clear.”
Seizing on the political limbo to speak out, Zimbabwean civil society groups and opposition leaders urged Mr Mugabe – the country’s only leader since independence – to step aside after 37 years in power and for the country to transition into free and fair elections.
