FACTBOX - Zimbabwean leaders hail agreement

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's rival political parties signed a landmark power-sharing deal on Monday which means President Robert Mugabe will cede some of his powers for the first time in nearly three decades of iron rule.

Mugabe, main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara -- who heads a breakaway MDC faction -- signed the agreement at a hotel in the capital, Harare, after weeks of tense negotiations.

Here are excerpts from their speeches.

MORGAN TSVANGIRAI

"This agreement sees the return of hope to all of our lives. It is this hope that provides the foundation of this agreement that we sign today, that will provide us with the belief that we can achieve a new Zimbabwe."

"As prime minister designate, I call on all supporters of both ZANU-PF and MDC to unite as Zimbabweans, to put the interests of our nation and our people first. Divisions, polarisation and hatred belong to the past."

"However, a new beginning will be built more quickly with the support of the international community. We appeal to our regional neighbours, our African brothers and sisters and the international community to assist us in rebuilding our nation."

ROBERT MUGABE

"Here we are today. We have to walk, and walk the same route, the same way."

"We have been walking the same route without knowing, without recognising each other."

"We may disagree on that route and this is what we have been doing but now we find ourselves in agreement."

ARTHUR MUTAMBARA

"We want to go beyond stabilisation, beyond economic recovery and talk about economic transformation."

"We came, we fought very viciously among ourselves, now, President Mugabe, President Tsvangirai, lets walk the talk and deliver on the promise ... lets make sure we deliver and make the conditions of our people better conditions."

"This is the clarion call for an economic revolution in our country. We must, we must deliver on the promise of the agreement."

(Johannesburg newsroom; editing by Keith Weir)