Britain has pledged an extra £5m in aid to Zimbabwe, hailing progress made under a new unity government.
Speaking after talks with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the first such meeting with a Zimbabwean leader for over two decades, Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed more help 'if the reform programme on the ground gains momentum.'
The extra funding brings the amount of transitional aid to given to Harare this year to €60m.
Before the Mr Tsvangirai joined President Robert Mugabe in a power-sharing government, Mr Mugabe had often sought to discredit Morgan Tsvangirai, his longtime rival, by labelling him a tool of British interests.
London is Mr Tsvangirai's final stop on a tour of Europe and the US to drum up support for the 'new Zimbabwe.'
Britain has sounded a cautious note, saying it will support the inclusive government despite its concerns about Mugabe, but that it will not lift sanctions until Harare proves it is on a path to democracy.
'There are great signs of progress: a budget and economic plans are in place; schools are reopening; children are once again filling the classrooms,' said Mr Brown.
'As a result of the progress, we will increase our support to help Zimbabwe move from mere survival towards a genuine recovery.'
Prime Minister Tsvangirai has insisted on his overseas trip that Mugabe's presence in power should not deter foreign governments from helping his country.
