But cabinet ministers, who told parliament the bill was "unfinished business" from the colonial era that would "put the land issue to rest", were divided over whether the government's new powers would bring an end to the invasions of white-owned farms by large numbers of blacks or encourage more of them.

The new provision, which will take effect as soon as President Robert Mugabe puts his signature to it, says it is Britain's responsibility as the former colonial power to pay dispossessed white farmers for their losses.

The amendment nearly failed after the ruling Zanu-PF party only mustered exactly the 100 votes required to change the constitution, apparently because some of the party's members of parliament stayed away out of pique at being dropped as candidates in next month's elections.

The minister of industry and commerce, Nathan Shamuyarira, led the charge over the land issue: "The land we are talking about was occupied entirely by our people, the indigenous people of the country, until 1890. They [the British] reserved the best resources - land, cattle, forest-ation, what have you - for themselves ... What the bill simply states is that Zimbabwe belongs to the indigenous people of Zimbabwe. It does not belong to anyone else."

One cabinet minister told parliament there was no racial element to the proposed redistribution even as another said only black Zimbabweans should own land. Another noted that the government was being accused of land grabbing and asked who had grabbed the land first.

Mr Shamuyarira repeated his government's contention that responsibility for compensating the farmers lies with Britain, not just as the former colonial power but because Harare claims that Margaret Thatcher agreed to provide the funds as a condition of Mr Mugabe signing the Lancaster House agreement, which finalised Zimbabwe's independence 20 years ago.

"That agreement was abruptly abandoned when the Blair government came to power," he told parliament. "Mr Cook has now indicated that the British government would contribute to a resettle ment programme. That is a good change of position. But there must be certain very basic understandings. We will compensate the farmers for the development they have made on the farms (such as buildings) but there will be no payment for the land that belongs to us in the first place."

Zimbabwe's beleaguered white farmers expressed dismay at the passage of the amendment. "This now gives Mugabe the power to help himself. This obviously is not good for the country," said Rob Brown on his farm in Ruwa. "In the short term, he might satisfy a few people. In the long term it will send this country downhill."

The minister without portfolio, Eddison Zvogbo, indicated to parliament that the constitutional amendment might bring an end to the land invasions and siege of white farms by armed men, evidently encouraged by the government.

"This bill is the only way out. Let's get done today so we can repair our race relations. Once we get over today, law and order will return," he said. "Even white citizens in this country should love this bill because it is going to restore order and good governance in the country. Without it, forget it. The turmoil will continue."