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Zimbabwe leaders 'to sign deal' Zimbabwe leaders 'to sign deal'
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwe's ruling party and opposition are close to signing a deal outlining a framework for talks on the country's political crisis, a UN envoy says. Zimbabwe's ruling party and opposition are due to sign a deal outlining a framework for talks on the country's political crisis, both sides say.
Haile Menkerios, the UN's envoy to Zimbabwe, expects a deal to be signed by President Robert Mugabe and the opposition's Morgan Tsvangirai. Haile Menkerios, the UN's envoy to Zimbabwe, said the deal would be signed by President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
The agreement was due to be signed last week but Mr Tsvangirai pulled out. South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki is to fly to Harare to witness the deal.
The two sides are locked in a dispute over presidential elections - which they both claim to have won.The two sides are locked in a dispute over presidential elections - which they both claim to have won.
The agreement was due to be signed last week but Mr Tsvangirai pulled out.
Mr Tsvangirai garnered more votes in the initial presidential poll - but election officials said there was no outright winner and called for a run-off.Mr Tsvangirai garnered more votes in the initial presidential poll - but election officials said there was no outright winner and called for a run-off.
Mr Mugabe won the run-off - but he was the only candidate after Mr Tsvangirai pulled out, accusing the government of mounting a campaign of violence against his supporters.Mr Mugabe won the run-off - but he was the only candidate after Mr Tsvangirai pulled out, accusing the government of mounting a campaign of violence against his supporters.
Opposition demandsOpposition demands
Mr Menkerios said he believed the two men had agreed a draft memorandum of understanding setting out the terms under which they could enter direct negotiations.Mr Menkerios said he believed the two men had agreed a draft memorandum of understanding setting out the terms under which they could enter direct negotiations.
PRECONDITIONS FOR TALKS MDC: End to political violenceRelease of supportersResumption of aidPermanent AU envoySwearing in of MPs Zanu-PF: Mugabe recognised as president But he said both men would have to sign the document to "clear the way" for talks.PRECONDITIONS FOR TALKS MDC: End to political violenceRelease of supportersResumption of aidPermanent AU envoySwearing in of MPs Zanu-PF: Mugabe recognised as president But he said both men would have to sign the document to "clear the way" for talks.
Mr Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), still has several conditions to be met before it will agree to talks with Mr Mugabe.Mr Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), still has several conditions to be met before it will agree to talks with Mr Mugabe.
Party spokesman George Sibotshiwe told the BBC that future talks would remain conditional on a complete cessation of violence and the release of all political prisoners.Party spokesman George Sibotshiwe told the BBC that future talks would remain conditional on a complete cessation of violence and the release of all political prisoners.
"We want a government that creates a platform for us to democratise our society, in order for us to have a genuinely free and fair election," he said."We want a government that creates a platform for us to democratise our society, in order for us to have a genuinely free and fair election," he said.
But he added that he expected the memorandum to be signed this week.
The MDC says at least 120 of its supporters have been killed, about 5,000 abducted and 200,000 forced from their homes since the first round of the elections, in a campaign of violence by pro-Mugabe militias and the army.The MDC says at least 120 of its supporters have been killed, about 5,000 abducted and 200,000 forced from their homes since the first round of the elections, in a campaign of violence by pro-Mugabe militias and the army.
Cabinet ministers have denied the charges.Cabinet ministers have denied the charges.
Mbeki 'problem'Mbeki 'problem'
The MDC is also unhappy with South Africa's Thabo Mbeki - the lead negotiator in international talks on Zimbabwe.The MDC is also unhappy with South Africa's Thabo Mbeki - the lead negotiator in international talks on Zimbabwe.
They accused him of being biased in favour of Mr Mugabe, and Mr Tsvangirai had asked for another envoy to join the talks.They accused him of being biased in favour of Mr Mugabe, and Mr Tsvangirai had asked for another envoy to join the talks.
On Friday, it was announced that a group of senior diplomats, drawn from the UN, African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), would help Mr Mbeki - a move welcomed by Mr Tsvangirai.On Friday, it was announced that a group of senior diplomats, drawn from the UN, African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), would help Mr Mbeki - a move welcomed by Mr Tsvangirai.
Since then, several senior diplomats and national leaders have expressed confidence that the agreement would eventually be signed.Since then, several senior diplomats and national leaders have expressed confidence that the agreement would eventually be signed.