Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has marked his 91st birthday by speaking for more than an hour and threatening to take over land and animal sanctuaries still owned by whites.

Mugabe's performance at a lavish party yesterday in the resort town of Victoria Falls seemed designed to dispel speculation that old age was slowing him down following a recent fall at Harare's main airport.

Mugabe said he would only allow whites to own animal sanctuaries if the United States removed sanctions imposed on him, his wife and members of his inner circle.

The West has long criticised Mugabe over his human rights record.