Cumbrian MP Rory Stewart will fly out to Africa tomorrow to try to help bring some stability to Zimbabwe.

It comes after controversial President Robert Mugabe - who has used violence and repression to cling to power in the country - was ousted following last week's military intervention.

Many hope it is the start of a new era for Zimbabwe, which has seen its economy collapse under the 93-year-old's rule. But there are also fears his replacement by bring more of the same.

As the British Government's minister for Africa, Mr Stewart has been watching closely as the situation has unfolded.

He is now due to fly out to neighbouring South Africa to lead the UK response on behalf of the Foreign Office.

Mr Stewart, who represents Penrith and the Border, said: "I'm going out to the region on Wednesday night.

"I'm initially going to head to South Africa and assess the situation from there. I'll be there for a couple of days."

When news of military intervention in Zimbabwe first broke, Mr Stewart was called into Government-level crisis meetings.

"I've been watching it very closely from when the first military vehicles moved in," he explained.

He said their first priority was to ensure British Embassy staff and other British citizens in the country were safe.

He has since taken calls from African leaders, including those from the surrounding countries, as those across the region look at how they can help bring a new era of stability to Zimbabwe.

Mr Stewart said that although supportive of efforts to transform the country, any change must be led by the Zimbabwean people.

Mr Stewart said: "There are still many uncertainties but I feel it's a real opportunity for Zimbabwe, if we get it right.

"Zimbabwe has been through a horrible and horrifying 37 years and it now looks like things are changing.

"The key is to make sure we put the Zimbabwean people at the centre of this. We do not want to present this as the British going in and throwing our weight around.

"It is going to be difficult but, if we can do that, then I'm pretty sure Zimbabwe can have a great democratic future."

He said their role would be to provide support, rather than leading the way. He added that Zimbabwe's relationship with other African nations would be crucial, particularly South Africa.

Zimbabwe - what has happened?

Here's a timeline of events in a whirlwind drama many never thought they would see after Mugabe's 37 years in charge:

November 6: After a campaign of public insults against Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe fires his long-time deputy, later accusing him of plotting to take power via witchcraft. Mr Mnangagwa flees the country.

November 13: Army commander Constantino Chiwenga issues a rare public rebuke, saying the military will not hesitate to "step in" to calm political tensions and criticising the handling of the once-prosperous southern African nation's crumbling economy.

November 14: Armored personnel carriers are seen on the outskirts of the capital, Harare. The military moves in overnight, taking control of the state-run broadcaster.

November 15: The military announces that Mugabe is under house arrest and an operation has begun to arrest "criminals" around him who harmed the economy. Unpopular first lady Grace Mugabe, who many feared would replace Mr Mnangagwa and even succeed her husband, disappears from view.

November 16: State-run media publish extraordinary photos of a smiling Mugabe shaking hands with the army commander at the State House amid negotiations on the president's exit as the military tries to avoid accusations of a coup.

November 17: The army, which continues to refer to Mugabe as president, allows him to make his first public appearance since house arrest. He appears at a graduation ceremony to polite applause.

November 18: The bulk of the capital's roughly 1.6 million people pour into the streets in an anti-Mugabe demonstration that even days ago would have brought a police crackdown.

November 19: The ruling party Central Committee expels Mugabe as party leader and tells him to step aside as president by noon Monday or face impeachment. In a speech on national television, he does not announce his resignation as expected.

November 20: Mugabe's chief secretary summoned ministers to the cabinet meeting at State House, the president's official residence.

November 21: Zimbabwe's ruling party is set to begin impeachment proceedings against President Robert Mugabe. A party official, meanwhile, says government ministers have been instructed to boycott the cabinet meeting called by the president.