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Zimbabwe rival parties hold talks Zimbabwe rival parties hold talks
(40 minutes later)
Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party and both factions of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change have begun talks in South Africa.Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party and both factions of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change have begun talks in South Africa.
This is their first meeting since June's run-off poll, which President Robert Mugabe won unopposed after the MDC pulled out because of violence.This is their first meeting since June's run-off poll, which President Robert Mugabe won unopposed after the MDC pulled out because of violence.
The African Union has urged Zimbabwe to form a government of national unity.The African Union has urged Zimbabwe to form a government of national unity.
South Africa President Thabo Mbeki is leading mediation efforts while opposing moves towards UN sanctions.South Africa President Thabo Mbeki is leading mediation efforts while opposing moves towards UN sanctions.
The US and the UK are pushing for a travel ban and assets freeze on President Mugabe and 13 of his allies, and an arms embargo. The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says it is not yet clear whether the talks involve anything substantial.
But he says both sides now realise that dialogue is the only way forward and that there has to be some kind of power sharing.
Previously Mr Mugabe had said there could only be talks if the opposition recognised him as president, while Mr Tsvangirai had ruled out talks unless there was an end to continuing post-election violence.
Sanctions push
Meanwhile, the US and the UK are pushing for a travel ban and assets freeze on President Mugabe and 13 of his allies, and an arms embargo.
Ahead of an expected UN Security Council resolution, the European Parliament has called on European countries to impose more economic sanctions against members of Zimbabwe's government.Ahead of an expected UN Security Council resolution, the European Parliament has called on European countries to impose more economic sanctions against members of Zimbabwe's government.
DRAFT SANCTIONS LIST Robert Mugabe, PresidentConstantine Chiwenga, Defence Forces CommanderEmmerson Mnangagwa, Rural Housing MinisterGideon Gono, Reserve Bank headAugustine Chihuri, Police chiefPatrick Chinamasa, Justice MinisterPerence Shiri, Air Force chiefDavid Parirenyatwa, Health MinisterDidymus Mutasa, Security and Lands MinisterGeorge Charamba, President's spokesmanParadzi Zimondi, Prison Service headHappyton Bonyongwe, Central Intelligence Organisation head Sydney Sekeremayi, Defence Minister Joseph Made, State Minister for Agricultural Engineering Source: Draft UN Security Council resolution Full text: G8 statementG8 'revulsion' at Zimbabwe crisis
The parliament in Strasbourg said travel restrictions on businessmen who financed Mr Mugabe's government should be among the new measures.The parliament in Strasbourg said travel restrictions on businessmen who financed Mr Mugabe's government should be among the new measures.
It also said the banks that provided loans or invested in Zimbabwe should be exposed. The vote is non-binding.It also said the banks that provided loans or invested in Zimbabwe should be exposed. The vote is non-binding.
The UN Security Council is due to meet in New York to discuss a draft resolution on Zimbabwe, despite several African leaders saying they oppose sanctions, including South Africa.
Mr Mbeki reportedly told G8 leaders earlier this week that UN sanctions could lead to civil war.
South Africa is currently on the UN Security Council but does not have the power of veto.
Earlier, the High Court eased bail conditions on MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti to allow him to travel to South Africa for proposed talks on forming a unity government.Earlier, the High Court eased bail conditions on MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti to allow him to travel to South Africa for proposed talks on forming a unity government.
On Wednesday, two representatives of South Africa's ruling African National Congress met Mr Mugabe in Harare. No details of that meeting have emerged. Two representatives of South Africa's ruling African National Congress also met Mr Mugabe in Harare on Wednesday. No details of that meeting have emerged.
South Africa's leader tried to meet all sides in Zimbabwe over the weekend.South Africa's leader tried to meet all sides in Zimbabwe over the weekend.
But MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai refused, saying meeting Mr Mugabe at State House would mean recognising his legitimacy as president.But MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai refused, saying meeting Mr Mugabe at State House would mean recognising his legitimacy as president.
Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential elections on 29 March, but official results gave him less than 50% share needed to avoid a run-off.
Since then, the opposition says more than 100 of its supporters have been killed, some 5,000 are missing and more than 200,000 have been forced from their homes.