PRAGUE, Feb 2 (Reuters) - The European Union welcomed a deal made last week under which Zimbabwe's opposition will join a government with President Robert Mugabe, and it said the priority now lay in alleviating the suffering of Zimbabweans.

The Czech Republic, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, said it hoped the political solution would lead to the "immediate end to political violence and intimidation and the immediate release of all political prisoners".

The Union was ready to support Zimbabwe in its recovery once the government showed signs of a return to respect for human rights, the rule of law, and economic stability, it said in a statement.

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is set to become prime minister due to the deal, which should end a political stalemate that has exacerbated an economic and humanitarian crisis in the southern African country. (Reporting by Michael Winfrey; Editing by Jon Boyle)

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