Earlier this month, reports in Zimbabwe suggested that members of the ruling party were willing to form a government of national unity with the main opposition party, and Mugabe would retire.
The reports have been vehemently denied by Mugabe's ruling Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party, but private newspapers have suggested the party may be divided.
"There may be some even within our party who would want to see division... We must be on the lookout, those of us who are committed to our programme," Mugabe said, speaking to a meeting of traditional chiefs.
He said that people had seen his good "relationship" with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad and thought "perhaps the president would want to retire." "So, I will not move, go to Malaysia," he said, in comments televised by the national Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) late Thursday.
The retirement reports, which surfaced in a local weekly here, suggested that Mugabe would retire and possibly leave for Malaysia.
According to the reports he would be replaced either by Emmerson Mnangagwa, the speaker of parliament, or by the head of the armed forces General Vitalis Zvinavashe.
Both have denied any part in a plot to retire the 78-year old president. The ruling party has accused Britain of being behind the report - Sapa-AFP.
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