President Mugabe yesterday met the visiting Batswana Defence Forces Commander Lieutenant General Tebogo Carter Masire and discussed several bilateral issues.

Lt-Gen Masire told journalists after the meeting at State House that they emphasised that Zimbabwe and Botswana should work together.He said he touched on different issues during the meeting with President Mugabe.

"The meeting was very important and we covered politics, social life and economics," he said. "We were emphasising that as neighbours we must work together and that Zimbabwe and Botswana must support each other in difficult times."

Lt-Gen Masire was accompanied by Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga.Gen Chiwenga hosted a dinner for Lt-Gen Masire and his delegation at the Army Headquarters in Harare on Wednesday night.

Speaking at the dinner, Lt-Gen Masire said Zimbabwe and Botswana should share vital information and work together for progress.

"As leaders, it is imperative that we work together," he said. "We cannot hope to achieve anything or any development or any progress without working together. When you are partners, you need to share information. Information that is being peddled by Western countries is so negative and you guys never passed information to us and here is the truth. There are no people being killed."

Lt-Gen Masire said Botswana had a similar situation of condemnation by the West for moving its people in the Kalahari Desert to pave way for mining and development purposes.

"The co-operation that exists should be further strengthened," he said. "I am sure you all know about the hullabaloo of the Basarwa people we relocated for development. We need to develop our people. The relocation of people in Marange, Chiadzwa we got the stories from Western media. We said oh there you go again."

Lt-Gen Masire said he was impressed by what he saw when he visited the massive Arda Transau housing project in Marange to relocate those affected by diamond mining at Chiadzwa.

"I was impressed by the programmes so after this I am sure you are going to be inundated with calls from Botswana," he said.

He said there was no need for Botswana to continue sending its soldiers for training to far away countries such as India and China when Zimbabwe had similar facilities.

He said the facilities were cheaper and the environment was similar.Lt-Gen Masire he met the likes of the late national heroes General Solomon Mujuru and Air Chief Marshal Josiah Tungamirai and outlined how Botswana contributed to Zimbabwe's liberation struggle.

Gen Chiwenga said the visit signified existing good relations between Zimbabwe and Botswana and their defence forces.

He said during the liberation struggle Botswana and other Front-line States played a pivotal role in freeing Zimbabwe from colonial bondage.

Gen Chiwenga saluted Botswana and Sadc for facilitating the Global Political Agreement.He challenged staff of both defence forces to expedite the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on training and co-operation.

Yesterday, Lt-Gen Masire paid a courtesy call on Defence Minister Emerson Mnangagwa at his offices at Defence House.

Minister Mnangagwa briefed Lt Gen Masire on the preparations being done to hold general elections.

"We last held elections in 2008 and in accordance with our Constitution, we need to hold elections after every four years," he said.

"We are one year behind, so we need to hold elections for the security of the country."Minister Mnangagwa briefed Lt-Gen Masire on the economic situation and military co-operation between Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Lt Gen Masire and his delegation comprising Brigadier Therego Seretse Phatswane, Colonel Morokotsi Kenneth Kethebogile and Major Keoogile Milton Gaaitsege conclude their visit today.