In the decade that he has opposed Mugabe, Tsvangirai has been tortured, detained repeatedly and went through a treason trial with a possible death sentence.

On the windowsill in his home office a sign reads: "I wish a long life to my enemies so they may see all my successes."

Tsvangirai said the support of the international community as well as financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund is "essential for creating international confidence."

"This is the beginning of building the necessary confidence for investment and aid. We are confident that we will be able to lay the groundwork for encouraging people (investors and aid agencies) to come to the country," he said.

Wary Western leaders say they are waiting for the new government to prove its commitment to democracy.

US Ambassador James McGee told the AP the United States is adopting a "very careful wait-and-see stance" about the power-sharing agreement.

"If this works out the way Mr. Tsvangirai hopes it will, we will be very willing to work with the people of Zimbabwe," McGee said.

He said Washington is committed to doing what Tsvangirai has requested - "taking care of food insecurity problems" of Zimbabwe's people.

The International Red Cross estimates more than 2 million people are hungry in Zimbabwe, and that the number is going to rise to 5 million, about half the population, by year's end.

"We will step forward, we have food in country, in the region and food on the high seas destined for Zimbabwe," the US envoy said.