BBC: Zimbabwe’s white farmers say they have been invited to apply for land – in an apparent U-turn by the government which has seized their land.

All but 300 of the 4,000 white farmers have been forced off their land since President Robert Mugabe started his “fast-track” land reform in 2000. A farmers’ leader says some 200 applications have already been made and more are coming in.

Critics say the reforms have devastated the economy and led to massive hunger. Much of the formerly white-owned land is no longer being productively used – either because the beneficiaries have no experience of farming or they lack finance and tools. Many farms were wrecked when they were invaded by government supporters.

The government has admitted that the exercise has been beset by corruption. But Mr Mugabe blames Zimbabwe’s economic problems on a plot by Western countries to topple him.But Mr Mugabe blames Zimbabwe’s economic problems on a plot by Western countries to topple him.