Zimbabwean president appoints new defense chief

HARARE, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Philip Valerio Sibanda, a lieutenant-general in the army, the new military chief, taking over from Constantino Chiwenga, the man behind the military intervention last month that led to the ouster of former President Robert Mugabe.

Chiwenga, set to retire pending re-appointment, is tipped to become a vice president.

Misheck Sibanda, chief secretary to the president and cabinet, announced the appointment in a statement Monday.

Mnangagwa, who was confirmed as the leader of the ruling party, the ZANU-PF, at its congress Friday, said he would announce the names of his two deputies soon.

The new president, sworn in last month, also appointed Major General Edzai Absolom Chanyuka Chimonyo, Zimbabwe's ambassador to Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda, as army commander, succeeding Philip Sibanda.

Air Vice Marshall Elson Moyo, promoted to air marshall, becomes the new air force chief, succeeding Perence Shiri, who was appointed lands, agriculture and rural resettlement minister. Enditem