Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe urged his military to protect the country's natural resources even as investigations into illicit trade in blood diamonds are ongoing.

Harare has also stepped up its "clean-up" operation at the controversial Chiadzwa diamond fields, ahead of a visit by an international group of diamond experts, All Africa claims.

A team of Kimberley Process inspectors is currently visiting the country, to verify its compliance with minimum international trade standards. Abbey Chikane, Zimbabwe's KP-appointed monitor, is heading the mission.

"My message to you today is for you to remain loyal to your country and jealously guard its independence, sovereignty and natural resources," Mugabe said in a speech marking Defence Forces Day.

"Remain wary of renewed subtle imperialistic efforts to dispossess us of the control of our natural resources."

Zimbabwe's military has come under harsh international criticism after investigators documented soldiers forcing villagers to mine diamonds in Marange diamond fields.

The current Kimberley Process visit is a result of an agreement reached by KPCS and the Mines Ministry in July, which paved the way for diamond exports from Zimbabwe to resume.

Allegations of human rights atrocities at the diamond fields have caused the suspension of diamond sales, but nevertheless, the Kimberley Process has agreed to certify a stockpile of diamonds from Chiadzwa as conflict free.

The website suggested that the visit was the reasons that Zimbabwe's police and military launch an intense clean up operation, with armed soldiers raiding business centers in areas surrounding Chiadzwa over the weekend. The operation is believed to be a blatant attempt to hide the ongoing abuses and irregularities at the diamond fields, for the sake of the international visitors.