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Mugabe in talks ahead of summit Mugabe in talks ahead of summit
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is meeting his South African counterpart, amid signs he will not attend a summit on his country's post-election crisis.Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is meeting his South African counterpart, amid signs he will not attend a summit on his country's post-election crisis.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he has won presidential polls, but no official results have been released.Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he has won presidential polls, but no official results have been released.
He hopes regional leaders at the summit will persuade Mr Mugabe to step down.He hopes regional leaders at the summit will persuade Mr Mugabe to step down.
Correspondents say the SADC talks can achieve little without Mr Mugabe there, which is why South African leader Thabo Mbeki is stopping in Harare first.Correspondents say the SADC talks can achieve little without Mr Mugabe there, which is why South African leader Thabo Mbeki is stopping in Harare first.
Thabo Mbeki arrived in Harare to meet Mr Mugabe hours after Zimbabwe's state media reported Mr Mugabe would not travel to the Zambian capital, Lusaka, for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting.Thabo Mbeki arrived in Harare to meet Mr Mugabe hours after Zimbabwe's state media reported Mr Mugabe would not travel to the Zambian capital, Lusaka, for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting.
The BBC's Peter Greste, in Johannesburg, says that rather than risking a public rebuke from his colleagues, President Mugabe is sending a delegation of government ministers.The BBC's Peter Greste, in Johannesburg, says that rather than risking a public rebuke from his colleagues, President Mugabe is sending a delegation of government ministers.
The international community's patience with the [Mugabe] regime is wearing thin UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown Brown warning to MugabeHarare diary: Seeking good omens class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7335569.stm">South Africa's key role SOUTH AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY Founded: 1980Member countries: Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and ZimbabweAims: Development, economic growth, regional integration, common political values and systems, promote peace and securityRole in Zimbabwe: Appointed South African President Thabo Mbeki to mediate in 2007 - new election law agreed but MDC later said talks had failed; sent election monitors for recent polls href="/1/hi/world/africa/7335569.stm">South Africa's key role class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7343904.stm">Brown warning to MugabeHarare diary: Seeking good omens
Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga had earlier said the summit had been "called without consultation with the Zimbabwean government".Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga had earlier said the summit had been "called without consultation with the Zimbabwean government".
Correspondents say that Mr Mugabe decision not to attend the summit would be his first public sign of weakness since the election two weeks ago, in which his Zanu-PF party lost its House of Assembly majority for the first time in since independence in 1980. The state-run Herald newspaper quoted Foreign Affairs Secretary Joey Bimha as calling the summit "unnecessary" because the votes were still being counted.
Correspondents say that Mr Mugabe's decision not to attend the summit would be his first public sign of weakness since the election two weeks ago, in which his Zanu-PF party lost its House of Assembly majority for the first time in since independence in 1980.
They say his absence would make it easier for Mr Tsvangirai to repeat his contention that he won the election fair and square.They say his absence would make it easier for Mr Tsvangirai to repeat his contention that he won the election fair and square.
Mr Mbeki has led mediation efforts between the two Zimbabwean sides since last year, but his "quiet diplomacy" approach has been criticised by some as ineffective.Mr Mbeki has led mediation efforts between the two Zimbabwean sides since last year, but his "quiet diplomacy" approach has been criticised by some as ineffective.
Wearing thinWearing thin
The summit comes amid growing pressure on Mr Mugabe to release the results of the presidential poll.The summit comes amid growing pressure on Mr Mugabe to release the results of the presidential poll.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown made his most scathing comments yet on Mr Mugabe, saying he was "appalled" at signs of violence and intimidation.UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown made his most scathing comments yet on Mr Mugabe, saying he was "appalled" at signs of violence and intimidation.
"I cannot understand why it is taking so long to announce the result of the Presidential elections," Mr Brown said in a statement released late on Friday. The SADC summit comes amid growing tension in Zimbabwe"I cannot understand why it is taking so long to announce the result of the Presidential elections," Mr Brown said in a statement released late on Friday.
"I am appalled by the signs that the regime is once again resorting to intimidation and violence.""I am appalled by the signs that the regime is once again resorting to intimidation and violence."
He said: "the international community's patience with the [Mugabe] regime is wearing thin". He said "the international community's patience with the [Mugabe] regime is wearing thin".
'Responsibility to act'
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated the SADC for "their timely initiative" and for "mobilising and co-ordinating to help Zimbabwe overcome its post-electoral crisis through peaceful means".UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated the SADC for "their timely initiative" and for "mobilising and co-ordinating to help Zimbabwe overcome its post-electoral crisis through peaceful means".
Zimbabwe's police warned political parties against "creating mayhem" "The secretary general is concerned that the situation in Zimbabwe could deteriorate if there is no prompt action to resolve this impasse," UN spokeswoman Marie Okabe said.
"The secretary-general is concerned that the situation in Zimbabwe could deteriorate if there is no prompt action to resolve this impasse," UN spokeswoman Marie Okabe said.
Mr Ban's predecessor, Kofi Annan, also called for the SADC leaders to push for "a peaceful and just solution" to the "political crisis in Zimbabwe".Mr Ban's predecessor, Kofi Annan, also called for the SADC leaders to push for "a peaceful and just solution" to the "political crisis in Zimbabwe".
"They have a grave responsibility to act; act not only because of the negative spillover effects on the region, but also to ensure that democracy, human rights and the rule of law are respected.""They have a grave responsibility to act; act not only because of the negative spillover effects on the region, but also to ensure that democracy, human rights and the rule of law are respected."
He warned that Zimbabwe was standing "on the brink".He warned that Zimbabwe was standing "on the brink".
Strike callStrike call
Zimbabwean police have banned political rallies "with immediate effect", amid growing tension over the disputed presidential election.Zimbabwean police have banned political rallies "with immediate effect", amid growing tension over the disputed presidential election.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has called for a strike starting on Tuesday to pressure the authorities. Zimbabwe's police warned political parties against "creating mayhem"The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has called for a strike starting on Tuesday to pressure the authorities.
Mr Tsvangirai has been touring southern Africa, urging leaders to put pressure on Mr Mugabe to step down.Mr Tsvangirai has been touring southern Africa, urging leaders to put pressure on Mr Mugabe to step down.
He says he won the vote outright and has refused to take part in any second, run-off presidential poll with Mr Mugabe.He says he won the vote outright and has refused to take part in any second, run-off presidential poll with Mr Mugabe.
Mr Tsvangirai has accused Mr Mugabe of mobilising Zimbabwean security forces and pro-Zanu-PF forces to intimidate MDC voters.Mr Tsvangirai has accused Mr Mugabe of mobilising Zimbabwean security forces and pro-Zanu-PF forces to intimidate MDC voters.
He also accuses Mr Mugabe of interfering with the work of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.He also accuses Mr Mugabe of interfering with the work of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Mr Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.Mr Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.
Are you in Zimbabwe? Tell us about your experiences - send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Zimbabwe? Tell us about your experiences - send us your comments using the form below.
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