Mugabe is only resting his eyes not sleeping, says Zimbabwe govt spokesman

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is not asleep when he closes his eyes for long periods during meetings but is resting his eyes, his spokesman says.

"The president cannot suffer bright lights," George Charamba was quoted as saying by the state-run Herald newspaper.

"I feel like a failure when there is this reading that the president is sleeping in conferences - no," Mr Charamba said.

He then compared Mr Mugabe to the anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, whose eyes were sensitive to flash photography following years of working in a limestone quarry while imprisoned on Robben Island.

The president is currently receiving specialised medical treatment for his eyes in Singapore.

This is the most bizzare answer from a African leader spokesperson.

BBC