Zimbabwe agreed on Tuesday to abolish the death penalty after months of debate in parliament, opting instead to impose long prison sentences for the worst crimes.

The cabinet approved a bill presented last year in the National Assembly to abolish the death penalty inherited from British colonial rule.

"In view of the need to maintain the deterrent element in convicting murderers, the new law is expected to impose long sentences without violating the right to life," Zimbabwe's cabinet said in a statement.

"The existence of aggravating circumstances can lead to life sentences."

Zimbabwe carried out its last execution in 2005.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was once on death row during the struggle for independence against British rule, has been pushing for an end to the death penalty.

(Text Reuters)