US says Mugabe departure is 'historic opportunity' for

The United States said today that the resignation of Zimbabwe's long-time ruler Robert Mugabe offered the country's people a "historic opportunity" for change and could help end its "isolation" on the world stage.

"The future of Zimbabwe will have to be decided by the people of Zimbabwe," said State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, issuing a call for "free and fair elections.