Prime minister of Zimbabwe to visit White House on Friday

Obama to welcome Zimbabwe’s prime minister

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will welcome the prime minister of Zimbabwe to the White House on Friday.

The White House said Monday that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai (SVAHNG’-ur-eye) will meet with Obama in the Oval Office to discuss how they can create a stable democratic future for Zimbabwe. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says the United States wants to return the African nation to the rule of law, restore human rights and support free and fair elections.

Tsvangirai is on a three-week trip saying he is seeking re-engagement. Western leaders have long isolated Zimbabwe, accusing President Robert Mugabe of trampling on democracy and ruining a once-vibrant economy.