President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, has dismissed rumours that he is critically ill. Mugabe returned to the capital Harare this weekend after a trip to Dubai. He says he visited the Middle East to deal with family issues.

After silencing rumours about his failing health, it was straight down to business for President Robert Mugabe.

He met with hundreds of members of the youth wing of his party, ZANU PF. The youth have become increasingly influential, replacing war veterans as Mugabe's most loyal supporters. In May they marched in solidarity with the president, amid a wave of protests.

Addressing the youth league this weekend, Mugabe vowed to put an end to all protests in the country. He's banned demonstrations for the next two weeks, thwarting a march planned for Friday by a coalition of 18 opposition parties.

Robert Mugabe said, "Of course we can't allow them to continue on these violent emonstrations. No. Enough is enough."

Mugabe praised the youth for their support ahead of the 2018 elections. He's promised farms, mining rights and residential stands to those at the forefront of campaigning.