Early reports on the first summit day show that Mugabe had already invited attention after he commandeered a plane to take him to Lisbon on Thursday, leaving hundreds of passengers due to fly from London to Harare stranded for more than six hours at Gatwick Airport. Arriving in Portugal Mugabe is reported to have slipped out a side exit at the airport, avoiding the many waiting journalists.

In Lisbon our reporter Lance Guma said that Mugabe is dominating the headlines and he had switched hotels as rumours circulated that dramatic stunts by protestors were being planned. Central Intelligence Operatives have been seen everywhere.

Guma also reports that a billboard on one of the main roads leading to the summit venue expressed the sentiment of many on the ground, that Mugabe is not welcome. The billboard read: "Mugabe Rascita, you are not welcome," meaning Mugabe racist, you are not welcome.