President Robert Mugabe has welcomed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Zimbabwe, a meeting of two leaders united in fierce opposition to the West. Mr Ahmadinejad, whose visit is expected to produce a raft of trade and co-operation agreements, is scheduled to open the country's main trade fair in the second city of Bulawayo on Friday.
But the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the party that shares power with Mr Mugabe's ZANU-PF in a fragile unity government, said inviting Mr Ahmadinejad to open the trade fair was "a colossal political scandal".
"Inviting the Iranian strongman to an investment forum is like inviting a mosquito to cure malaria," the party said in a statement.
"Ahmadinejad's visit is not only an insult to the people of Zimbabwe, but an affront to democracy and to the oppressed people of Iran."
Both Mr Ahmadinejad and Mr Mugabe are known for their controversial policies and anti-Western rhetoric.
Later, Mr Ahmadinejad condemned the "satanic pressures" on Zimbabwe and his own country which he said were fighting to maintain their sovereignty.
"Iran and Zimbabwe are two countries that continue the effort to maintain their sovereignty and freedom," Ahmadinejad said at a dinner with Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.
"Of course, our strength had provoked the hostility of expansionist countries," he said. "Here, I condemn all pressures, all satanic pressures, pressures on the government and people of Zimbabwe."
"We believe victory is ours and humiliation and defeat for our enemies."