Robert Mugabe resigns as Zimbabwe's president after 37 years

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, who once vowed to rule for life, resigned on Tuesday, succumbing to a week of overwhelming pressure from the military that put him under house arrest, lawmakers from the ruling party and opposition who started impeachment proceedings and a population that surged into the streets to say 37 years in power was enough.

Zimbabweans gather to pray for the country in a park opposite the parliament building in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.  (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

The capital, Harare, erupted in jubilation after news spread that the 93-year-old leader's resignation letter had been read out by the speaker of parliament, whose members had gathered to impeach Mugabe after he ignored escalating calls to quit since a military takeover. Well into the night, cars honked and people danced and sang in a spectacle of free expression that would have been impossible during his years in power, whose early promise after the end of white minority rule in 1980 was overtaken by economic collapse, government dysfunction and human rights violations.

An unemployed man reads up on Zimbabwean constitutional law to understand the process of possible presidential impeachment, in a park opposite the parliament building in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

"Welcome to the new Zimbabwe!" people chanted outside the conference center where the lawmakers had met. "This is the best day of my life," one man declared as euphoric citizens celebrated on top of cars, clustered around a tank and shook hands with soldiers who were hailed as saviors for their role in dislodging Mugabe, a once-formidable politician who crushed dissent or sidelined opponents but, in the end, was a lonely figure abandoned by virtually all his allies.

"Change was overdue. ... Maybe this change will bring jobs," said 23-year-old Thomas Manase, an unemployed university graduate.

Chris Mutsvangwa, head of Zimbabwe's association of war veterans, speaks to The Associated Press calling for President Robert Mugabe to step down immediately, in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

It was a call echoed by many, and which pointed to the challenges ahead for Zimbabwe, which used to be a regional breadbasket but has since suffered hyperinflation, cash shortages, chronic mismanagement and massive joblessness. And, while Zimbabweans seemed almost universally united in their wish to see an end to the Mugabe era, the hard work of building institutions and preparing for what they hope are free and fair elections scheduled for next year has yet to begin.

Mugabe, who was the world's oldest head of state, said in his resignation letter that legal procedures should be followed to install a new president "no later than tomorrow."

Members of Zimbabwe's association of war veterans sing old songs from the war of independence at a press conference held by their leader Chris Mutsvangwa, in which he called for President Robert Mugabe to step down "yesterday", in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.  (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

"My decision to resign is voluntary on my part and arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire for a smooth, non-violent transfer of power," Mugabe said in the message read out by parliamentary speaker Jacob Mudenda.

Recently ousted Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa was to take over as the country's leader within 48 hours so that he can move "with speed to work for the country," said a ruling party official, Lovemore Matuke. Mnangagwa, who fled the country after his Nov. 6 firing, "is not far from here," Matuke added.

People stand on the balcony of the parliament building in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. The ruling ZANU-PF party was poised to begin impeachment proceedings Tuesday against Mugabe after its Central Committee voted to oust the president as party leader. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Mugabe's resignation ended impeachment proceedings brought by the ruling ZANU-PF party after its Central Committee voted to oust him as party leader and replace him with Mnangagwa, a former justice and defense minister who served for decades as Mugabe's enforcer, a role that earned him the moniker, "Crocodile." Many opposition supporters detest Mnangagwa and believe he was instrumental in the army killings of thousands of people when Mugabe moved against a political rival in the 1980s.

So far, Mnangagwa has used inclusive language, saying in a statement before Mugabe's resignation that all Zimbabweans should work together to advance their nation.

Demonstrators protest outside the Zimbabwean Parliament in Harare, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 calling for Parliament to impeach President Robert Mugabe who has been in power for nearly four decades. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

"Never should the nation be held at ransom by one person ever again, whose desire is to die in office at whatever cost to the nation," Mnangagwa said.

Zimbabwe's military commander, Gen. Constantino Chiwenga, warned people not to target old adversaries following Mugabe's resignation. "Acts of vengeful retribution or trying to settle scores will be dealt with severely," he said.

Demonstrators protest outside the Zimbabwean Parliament in Harare, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 calling for Parliament to impeach President Robert Mugabe who has been in power for nearly four decades.  (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Zimbabweans to maintain calm. The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe said Mugabe's resignation "marks an historic moment" and that "the path forward" should lead to free and fair elections. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Mugabe was "a despot who impoverished his country" and his exit is a "moment of joy" for Zimbabwe.

The end for Mugabe came when his wife, Grace Mugabe, positioned herself to succeed her husband, leading a party faction that engineered Mnangagwa's ouster. The prospect of a dynastic succession alarmed the military, which confined Mugabe to his home last week and targeted what it called "criminals" around him who allegedly were looting state resources — a reference to associates of the first lady.

Protesters calling for the impeachment of President Robert Mugabe demonstrate outside the parliament building in Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. Zimbabwe's political turmoil continues Tuesday as Parliament has begun impeachment proceedings against Mugabe. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

In his early days as leader, after a long war between black guerrillas and the white rulers of Rhodesia, as Zimbabwe was known before independence, Mugabe stressed education and built new schools. Tourism and mining flourished. But in 2000, violent seizures of thousands of white-owned farms began, causing agricultural production to plunge. A land reform program was supposed to take much of the country's most fertile land and redistribute it to poor blacks, but Mugabe instead gave prime farms to ZANU-PF leaders and loyalists, relatives and cronies.

A demonstrator holds a placard demanding President Robert Mugabe to resign while seated in a tree outside parliament building in Harare, Tuesday, Nov, 21, 2017. Parliament opened in Zimbabwe as the ruling party seeks to impeach President Robert Mugabe after nearly four decades in power. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

As the years went by, Mugabe was widely accused of hanging onto power through violence and vote fraud, notably in a 2008 election that led to a troubled coalition government after regional mediators intervened. Still, he cast himself as a voice of pride and defiance in modern Africa, a message that resonated in many countries that had experienced Western colonialism or intervention.

Protesters calling for the impeachment of President Robert Mugabe demonstrate outside the parliament building in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Mugabe once said he wanted to rule for life, expressing a desire to live until he is 100 years old. He also said he was ready to retire if asked to do so by his supporters.

A year ago, he said: "If I am to retire, let me retire properly."

Protesters calling for the impeachment of President Robert Mugabe ride in a truck as they demonstrate in front of the parliament building in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Zimbabweans celebrate at night at an intersection in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. Mugabe resigned as president with immediate effect Tuesday after 37 years in power, shortly after parliament began impeachment proceedings against him. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Zimbabweans drink, dance, and sing as they celebrate at night at an intersection in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. Mugabe resigned as president with immediate effect Tuesday after 37 years in power, shortly after parliament began impeachment proceedings against him. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Zimbabweans celebrate after Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe resigned in Harare, Tuesday, Nov, 21, 2017. The streets of Zimbabwe's capital have erupted in dancing, singing, honking and cheers after Mugabe announced his immediate resignation after 37 years in power. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

A Zimbabwean dances on the roof of a vehicle as he and others celebrate outside the parliament building immediately after hearing the news that President Robert Mugabe had resigned, in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Zimbabweans celebrate outside the parliament building immediately after hearing the news that President Robert Mugabe had resigned, in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.(AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Zimbabweans celebrate outside the parliament building immediately after hearing the news that President Robert Mugabe had resigned, in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Zimbabweans celebrate outside the parliament building immediately after hearing the news that President Robert Mugabe had resigned, in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.  (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Zimbabweans celebrate in Harare, Tuesday, Nov, 21, 2017, after the resignation of President Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe says he is resigning immediately and voluntarily in order to have a "smooth transfer of power" after 37 years in charge. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Protesters calling for the impeachment of President Robert Mugabe demonstrate outside the parliament building in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Protesters calling for the impeachment of President Robert Mugabe ride on top of a minibus as they demonstrate in front of the parliament building in Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. Zimbabwe's Parliament on Tuesday has begun impeachment proceedings against Mugabe.(AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Demonstrators hold placards during a demonstration outside parliament building in Harare, Tuesday Nov. 21, 2017. Parliament opened in Zimbabwe as the ruling party seeks to impeach President Robert Mugabe after nearly four decades in power. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Demonstrators hold placards during a demonstration outside parliament building in Harare, Tuesday, Nov, 21, 2017. Parliament opened in Zimbabwe as the ruling party seeks to impeach President Robert Mugabe after nearly four decades in power. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Protesters calling for the impeachment of President Robert Mugabe hold a placard of Zimbabwean Army General Constantino Chiwenga, left, as they demonstrate in front of the parliament building in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Morgan Tsvangirai, the main opposition leader in Zimbabwe addresses protestors outside parliament building in Harare, Tuesday, Nov, 21, 2017. Parliament opened in Zimbabwe as the ruling party seeks to impeach President Robert Mugabe after nearly four decades in power. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

PARIS (AP) — Freshly cooked bread, select cheeses and a broad veggie offer will be among the meals to be offered to athletes and visitors during the 2024 Paris Olympics — including, of course, gourmet dishes created by renowned French chefs.

About 40,000 meals are expected to be served each day during the Games to the more than 15,000 athletes from 200 different countries housed at the Olympic village.

Visitors, too, will be able to enjoy some specially created snacks at the different venues.

French food services company Sodexo Live!, which was selected to oversee the catering at the athletes’ village and 14 venues of the Paris Games, said it has created a total of 500 recipes, which will notably be offered at a sit-down eatery for up to 3,500 athletes at the village, meant to be the “world's largest restaurant."

“Of course, there will be some classics for athletes, like pasta," said Nathalie Bellon-Szabo, global CEO of Sodexo Live! But the food will have a "very French touch.”

Athletes will also have access to “grab and go” food stands, including one dedicated exclusively to French cuisine cooked up by chefs.

Renowned French chef Amandine Chaignot, who runs a restaurant and a café-bistro in Paris, on Tuesday unveiled one of her recipes based on the iconic croissant.

“I wanted the recipe I suggested to be representative of the French terroir, but I wanted athletes to enjoy it at the same time,” she told the Associated Press. “It was quite obvious for me to make a croissant that I could twist. So, you have a bit of artichoke puree, a poached egg, a bit of truffle and a bit of cheese. It’s both vegetarian and still mouthwatering.”

Every day, during the July 26-Aug. 11 Games, a top chef — including some awarded with Michelin stars — will cook in front of the athletes at the Olympic Village, “so they’ll be able to chat and better understand what French cuisine is about — and to understand a bit of our culture as well,” Chaignot said.

Daily specials will be accompanied by a wide range of salads, pastas, grilled meat and soups. Cheeses will include top quality camembert, brie and sheep’s milk-based Ossau-Iraty from southwestern France.

The Olympic Village will also feature a boulangerie producing fresh baguettes and a variety of other breads.

“The idea is to offer athletes the chance to grab a piping hot baguette for breakfast," said baker Tony Doré, who will be working at the Olympic Village's main restaurant.

Athletes interested in other than sports, will even be able to participate in daily bakery trainings, and learn to make their own French baguette, said Doré.

In an effort to provide as many options as possible, meals offered will revolve around four cuisines: French, Asian, African and the Caribbean and international food.

Paris 2024 organizers have promised to make the Games more sustainable and environment-friendly — and that includes efforts to reduce the use of plastic. To this effect, the main restaurant at the village will use only reusable dishes.

Additionally, organizers say all meals will be based on seasonal products and 80% will come from France.

Plant-based food will represent 60% of the offer for visitors at the venues, including a “vegetarian hot-dog," said Philipp Würz, head of Food and Beverage for the Paris 2024 Committee.

There's “a huge amount of plant-based recipes that will be available for the general public to try, to experience and, hopefully, they will love it," said Würz.

The urban park at the Place de la Concorde, in central Paris, will offer visitors 100% vegetarian food — a first in the Games’ history. The place will be the stage for Paris 2024’s most contemporary sporting disciplines: BMX freestyle, 3x3 basketball, skateboarding and breakdancing.

AP journalist Nicholas Garriga contributed to this report.

AP Olympics coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Fish dishes, prepared by 3-star chef Alexandre Mazzia, are presented Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Twisted croissants with artichoke puree, a poached egg, a bit of truffle, and a bit of cheese, created by French chef Amandine Chaignot, are seen Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Chocolate breads made by French baker Tony Dore and that will be served during the. Olympic Games are seen Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French chef Amandine Chaignot, of the restaurant "Pouliche", who will prepare food for athletes during the Olympic Games, answers questions Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A bread salad made by chef Stephane Chicheri is presented Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French baker Tony Dore prepares baguettes, like those that will be served during the. Olympic Games, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)