Mbeki in Zimbabwe to broker talks

The south African president has arrived in Harare to broker talks between the country's rival parties

Tweet

Print Share

 

Also In The News

St Helens beat Warrington with late Long drop-goal
A last gasp Sean Long drop-goal broke Warrington hearts as they lost 17-16 at Knowsley Road after leading for much of the game.

• Ferguson still in the hunt for new striker
• Benitez may still let Alonso leave
• We will fight to win fourth Test: Arthur

 

Sunday, 10, Aug 2008 01:52

South African president Thabo Mbeki has arrived in Zimbabwe's capital to broker talks between the country's rival parties.

President Robert Mugabe, leader of the Zanu-PF party, and Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai have been discussing a power sharing agreement after the country's controversial presidential run-off.

Mr Tsvangirai withdrew from the two-candidate race leaving Mr Mugabe as the sole candidate for the country's presidency.

The country's state-run newspaper, the Sunday Mail, has reported progress in the talks, adding that discussions would now focus on the "structure and scope of the new government".

It reported that common ground had been reached on issues such as sovereignty, non-interference, freedom of assembly and association and sanctions.

Mr Mbeki is expected to meet the leaders of both parties as well as the head of a breakaway opposition party, Arthur Mutambara in an attempt to resolve the country's political deadlock.

The UK and the US slammed June's presidential run-off as being unfair but were unable to pass UN-sponsored sanctions against the southern African country due to Russia and China's vetoes of the move.