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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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| Mbeki 'must quit Zimbabwe role' | Mbeki 'must quit Zimbabwe role' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Zimbabwe's opposition has called on South African President Thabo Mbeki to stand down as a mediator in the wake of the elections crisis. | Zimbabwe's opposition has called on South African President Thabo Mbeki to stand down as a mediator in the wake of the elections crisis. |
| Opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said Mr Mbeki, who the MDC has accused of failing to pressure President Robert Mugabe, should be "relieved from duty". | Opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said Mr Mbeki, who the MDC has accused of failing to pressure President Robert Mugabe, should be "relieved from duty". |
| South Africa earlier urged Zimbabwe's electoral commission to release results of last month's presidential election. | South Africa earlier urged Zimbabwe's electoral commission to release results of last month's presidential election. |
| The Movement for Democratic Change says it won the election outright. | The Movement for Democratic Change says it won the election outright. |
| Mr Tsvangirai told a news conference in Johannesburg: "We want to thank President Mbeki for all of his efforts but President Mbeki needs to be relieved of his duties." | Mr Tsvangirai told a news conference in Johannesburg: "We want to thank President Mbeki for all of his efforts but President Mbeki needs to be relieved of his duties." |
| Mr Tsvangirai said Mr Mugabe had "unleashed an orgy of violence against the people". | Mr Tsvangirai said Mr Mugabe had "unleashed an orgy of violence against the people". |
| 'Quiet diplomacy' | 'Quiet diplomacy' |
| President Mbeki had defended his record on Zimbabwe at the UN in New York on Wednesday. | President Mbeki had defended his record on Zimbabwe at the UN in New York on Wednesday. |
| Mr Mbeki met President Robert Mugabe last Saturday and afterwards said there was "no crisis" in Zimbabwe. He defended those remarks in New York, saying dialogue was essential. | Mr Mbeki met President Robert Mugabe last Saturday and afterwards said there was "no crisis" in Zimbabwe. He defended those remarks in New York, saying dialogue was essential. |
| Zimbabwe's government says Mr Tsvangirai is in league with the UK | Zimbabwe's government says Mr Tsvangirai is in league with the UK |
| "The solution to the problem of Zimbabwe lies in the hands of the people of Zimbabwe," he said. | "The solution to the problem of Zimbabwe lies in the hands of the people of Zimbabwe," he said. |
| On Thursday South African spokesman Themba Maseko told the BBC there was a fear the situation in Zimbabwe could deteriorate because the results of the presidential poll had not been released. | On Thursday South African spokesman Themba Maseko told the BBC there was a fear the situation in Zimbabwe could deteriorate because the results of the presidential poll had not been released. |
| "It is our view that all the participants should come together, sort out all the causes of the delay, and then release the results as a matter of urgency," he said. | "It is our view that all the participants should come together, sort out all the causes of the delay, and then release the results as a matter of urgency," he said. |
| South African diplomats expressed concern over the election results last week but Mr Maseko's comments are the strongest so far by the government. | South African diplomats expressed concern over the election results last week but Mr Maseko's comments are the strongest so far by the government. |
| Mr Maseko said South Africa's policy of "quiet diplomacy" had not "been coming out as clearly as it should". | Mr Maseko said South Africa's policy of "quiet diplomacy" had not "been coming out as clearly as it should". |
| The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission says it cannot release the results until it investigates anomalies - a partial recount takes place this weekend. | The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission says it cannot release the results until it investigates anomalies - a partial recount takes place this weekend. |
| The call for election results to be published was echoed on Thursday by the G8 group of major industrialised countries, the European Union and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. | The call for election results to be published was echoed on Thursday by the G8 group of major industrialised countries, the European Union and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. |
| "It's time for Africa to step up," Ms Rice said. "Where is the concern from the African Union and from Zimbabwe's neighbours about what is going on Zimbabwe?" | "It's time for Africa to step up," Ms Rice said. "Where is the concern from the African Union and from Zimbabwe's neighbours about what is going on Zimbabwe?" |
| 'Regime change' | 'Regime change' |
| Zimbabwe's government has meanwhile stepped up its campaign against Mr Tsvangirai. | Zimbabwe's government has meanwhile stepped up its campaign against Mr Tsvangirai. |
| We have disturbing and confirmed reports of threats, beatings, abductions, burning of homes and even murder, from many parts of the country US Ambassador James McGee | We have disturbing and confirmed reports of threats, beatings, abductions, burning of homes and even murder, from many parts of the country US Ambassador James McGee |
| Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa alleged he was working with Britain to bring about "regime change". | Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa alleged he was working with Britain to bring about "regime change". |
| Mr Tsvangirai has previously been put on trial for treason but has been acquitted. | Mr Tsvangirai has previously been put on trial for treason but has been acquitted. |
| Mr Chinamasa's comments came as the state-controlled Herald newspaper accused Mr Tsvangirai of approaching the UK government to discuss possible military intervention. | Mr Chinamasa's comments came as the state-controlled Herald newspaper accused Mr Tsvangirai of approaching the UK government to discuss possible military intervention. |
| The Herald also said it had details of a letter from UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to Mr Tsvangirai assuring him that Britain had lobbied southern African leaders to hold an urgent summit on Zimbabwe and that London would impose more sanctions. | The Herald also said it had details of a letter from UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to Mr Tsvangirai assuring him that Britain had lobbied southern African leaders to hold an urgent summit on Zimbabwe and that London would impose more sanctions. |
| "It is clear from the correspondence that Tsvangirai along with Brown are seeking regime change in Zimbabwe, and on the part of Tsvangirai. This is treasonous," Mr Chinamasa is quoted as saying. | "It is clear from the correspondence that Tsvangirai along with Brown are seeking regime change in Zimbabwe, and on the part of Tsvangirai. This is treasonous," Mr Chinamasa is quoted as saying. |
| Mr Tsvangirai, who is based in Botswana for the moment, said the allegations were "outrageous". | Mr Tsvangirai, who is based in Botswana for the moment, said the allegations were "outrageous". |
| "We are determined to have democratic change through democratic means," he said. | "We are determined to have democratic change through democratic means," he said. |
| Chinese weapons | Chinese weapons |
| The MDC accuses security forces backed by Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF of intimidating voters in the run-up to a second round in the presidential vote. | The MDC accuses security forces backed by Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF of intimidating voters in the run-up to a second round in the presidential vote. |
| South Africa is one of a number of nations to witness protests | South Africa is one of a number of nations to witness protests |
| Reports of violence towards opposition supporters were supported on Thursday by the US ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee. | Reports of violence towards opposition supporters were supported on Thursday by the US ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee. |
| In a statement, he said: "We have disturbing and confirmed reports of threats, beatings, abductions, burning of homes and even murder, from many parts of the country." | In a statement, he said: "We have disturbing and confirmed reports of threats, beatings, abductions, burning of homes and even murder, from many parts of the country." |
| Meanwhile, South African officials have confirmed to the BBC that a Chinese ship anchored off the port of Durban does contain arms destined for Zimbabwe. | Meanwhile, South African officials have confirmed to the BBC that a Chinese ship anchored off the port of Durban does contain arms destined for Zimbabwe. |
| The officials said South Africa could not interfere in a trade deal between two nations but only ensure proper procedures were followed. | The officials said South Africa could not interfere in a trade deal between two nations but only ensure proper procedures were followed. |
| Sanctions imposed by Western countries on Zimbabwe forbid the sale of weapons to the country. | Sanctions imposed by Western countries on Zimbabwe forbid the sale of weapons to the country. |