Robert Mugabe hopes the power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe will lead the West to easing sanctions, which he blamed for devastating the country's economy.

The 84-year-old leader said in an interview that he was determined to remain president despite what he said were efforts by Britain and the US to oust him.

Zimbabwe's president said: "They are waiting for a day when this man, this evil man, called Robert Mugabe is no longer in control. And I don't know when that day is coming."

He dismissed reports that the September 15 power-sharing deal could fall apart.

Mr Mugabe said the only outstanding issue is deciding on four of the 31 Cabinet posts, and the negotiations are continuing in Harare while he is in New York.

He declined to say which posts are still being discussed.

"Every one of us is actually positive about the agreement, or the need to cement the agreement and make it work," Mr Mugabe said.

"I don't see any reason why we can't work together as Zimbabweans," he said.

"We are all sons of the soil, as we say, and the differences arise purely from own conceptions of what Zimbabwe should be and what the government of Zimbabwe should be."

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the most votes in March presidential polling, but not enough to avoid a runoff against Mr Mugabe.

An onslaught of violence against Mr Tsvangirai's supporters led him to drop out of the presidential runoff and Mr Mugabe was declared the overwhelming winner of the second vote, which was widely denounced as a sham.

Mr Mugabe made clear that he was willing to share power with Mr Tsvangirai, who would become prime minister under the agreement, leading a council of ministers responsible for government policies and reporting to a Cabinet headed by Mr Mugabe.

But Mr Mugabe did not spell out who would have the final say if there was a major disagreement.

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