Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has told Australian political leaders that his African nation is ready to shed its reputation as a pariah state and re-engage with the world.
Tsvangirai said in a speech at Australia's Parliament House on Monday that the government he has formed with long-term President Robert Mugabe since 2009 is a step toward ending the "dark and unfortunate history" of "political polarization" within his country.
He says with the international community's assistance, "we should be able to rescue the country."
Australia imposed targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe in a bid to pressure Mugabe to restore democracy and the rule of law.
The Australian government eased some sanctions in March, removing 82 regime loyalists from its financial and travel sanctions list.