"This is unacceptable. This is it. It (Zimbabwe) quits and quits it will be," Mugabe was quoted as saying, in a statement.
The statement said Mugabe had made the announcement when the presidents of Nigeria, South Africa and Jamaica telephoned him to tell him the Commonwealth had decided to prolong Zimbabwe's suspension from the 54-nation body.
It said the three leaders had tried to persuade Mugabe to keep his southern African country within the group of mainly former British colonies.
But Mugabe had said the extension of Zimbabwe's suspension was unacceptable.
Meanwhile, the Commonwealth said today it was disappointed at Zimbabwe's announcement it was pulling out of the group of mostly former British colonies and said the body wanted the southern African body to return.
"It is disappointing," Commonwealth spokesperson Joel Kibazo told AFP.
"What we want is the return of Zimbabwe into the Commonwealth".
"What we care about is the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and that is what we will continue to do," Kibazo added. – Sapa-AFP.
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