West trying to divide Zimbabwe govt: Mugabe

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe told the UN General Assembly on Friday that some unnamed Western countries were trying to divide his unity government.

"Some of them are working strenuously to divide the parties in the inclusive government," he said.

"If they will not assist the inclusive government in rehabilitating our economy, could they please stop their filthy clandestine divisive antics?"

While praising his Southern African neighbours for extending financial and other help to Harare when they too face economic hardship, Mugabe chided the United States and the European Union for refusing to lift their "illegal" sanctions on Zimbabwe.

"What are their motives?... Where stand their humanitarian principles when their illegal sanctions are ruining the lives of our children?" he said.

The United States and the EU have rejected calls for an end to sanctions imposed on Mugabe and his inner circle, which include a travel ban and a freeze on bank accounts.

Mugabe joined his one-time rival Morgan Tsvangarai in a unity government in February after last year's failed elections.

The inclusive government has helped steer Zimbabwe's return from crisis but it still faces deep-rooted challenges after nearly a decade of political tensions.