Controversial Zimbabwe bank chief remains

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The controversial governor of Zimbabwe's Reserve Bank says he will not resign despite his role in the collapse of the nation's economy.

Gideon Gono. a key ally of President Robert Mugabe, told Sky News in an interview he had done nothing wrong and would continue in his post despite demands from the opposition that he step down.

"I know I am the most hated man in Zimbabwe," he said, "but I have done my best as governor."

He claimed international sanctions were the main cause of the nation's economic troubles, not Mugabe's land reform program that left the country unable to feed itself.

"The sanctions have affected all Zimbabweans, banning us from accessing money from the IMF, the World Bank and even the African Development Bank," he said.

Gono has headed Zimbabwe's central bank since 2003, presiding over what has been called the world's fastest shrinking economy.