GABORONE, Sept 16, 2008 (AFP) - Botswana, among Robert Mugabe's harshest critics in the region, on Tuesday welcomed Zimbabwe's power-sharing deal and urged the international community to help the country's shattered economy.

'Botswana hopes all parties will fulfill the terms of the agreement and place Zimbabwe on a path to national reconciliation, economic construction and development,' the foreign ministry said in a statement.

President Ian Khama, one of the few African leaders to openly criticise Mugabe, attended Monday's ceremony where Zimbabwe's three political parties officially signed the power-sharing deal.

To protest Mugabe's re-election as president in a one-candidate vote in June, Khama refused to attend a South African Development Community (SADC) summit in August and instead sent a representative.

Botswana also called for Zimbabwe to be suspended from the African Union and SADC after the June poll.

On Tuesday, the Botswana government said it was committed to working with the government and the people of Zimbabwe in tackling the challenges facing the country.

'Botswana urges the international community, in particular donor countries, and international financial institutions to extend economic, financial, and technical assistance to the people of Zimbabwe,' the statement said.

The government also commended South African President Thabo Mbeki for 'his sterling role' in mediating the talks between the parties.