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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 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, said the deal would be signed by President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. | |
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 demands | Opposition 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. |
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. |