UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres yesterday appealed for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe after President Robert Mugabe told the military he would not step aside.

“We are worried,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. “We would not like to see any more destabilisation.”

The 93-year-old Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980, met with his top generals yesterday, but a source close to the military said “he is refusing to step down”.

The army, on Wednesday, seized control in Zimbabwe, in an apparent bid to counter a power play from Mugabe’s wife, Grace, after the president fired Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In a statement, Guterres said he was closely following developments in Zimbabwe, called for calm, and stressed the importance of a peaceful solution.

“He underlines the importance of resolving political differences through peaceful means, including through dialogue and in conformity with the country’s constitution,” said the statement.

The UN chief, meanwhile, backed efforts by the South African-led Development Community (SADC) regional group to end the crisis.

Mugabe was due to meet envoys from the SADC in Harare.