Harare/Johannesburg- Liberation war veterans loyal to President Robert Mugabe vowed to defend the country Friday against what they called the "imminent threat of invasion" following weekend elections that prised open Mugabe's 28-year grip on power.

As proof of his claim of an invasion threat Jabulani Sibandi, chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association (ZNLWVA), claimed the association had seen white farmers surveying farms that were expropriated by ruling party allies. (dpa)