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Zimbabwe crisis talks adjourned Mugabe upbeat as talks continue
(about 3 hours later)
Power-sharing talks between Zimbabwe's governing Zanu-PF party and opposition officials have been adjourned. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has said he feels sure differences with the opposition can be overcome, as talks on sharing power continue in Harare.
President Robert Mugabe said there had been no progress, but that negotiations would resume on Tuesday, and that the sticking points would "be overcome". The talks between his governing Zanu-PF party and opposition officials are due to resume on Tuesday after adjourning for the night.
Mr Mugabe said that sticking points would "be overcome".
South African President Thabo Mbeki is leading the mediation, aimed at ending Zimbabwe's bitter election dispute.South African President Thabo Mbeki is leading the mediation, aimed at ending Zimbabwe's bitter election dispute.
Earlier, Mr Mugabe warned opposition groups not to be "used by enemies", saying the country was not for sale.Earlier, Mr Mugabe warned opposition groups not to be "used by enemies", saying the country was not for sale.
Addressing hundreds of people on Heroes' Day, honouring those who died in the 1970s war against white minority rule, the president vowed that Zimbabwe would "never be a colony again".Addressing hundreds of people on Heroes' Day, honouring those who died in the 1970s war against white minority rule, the president vowed that Zimbabwe would "never be a colony again".
"Let's not hand over the country to the enemy," he said. "If you are on the enemy's side or you are being used by enemies, stop it.""Let's not hand over the country to the enemy," he said. "If you are on the enemy's side or you are being used by enemies, stop it."
Mr Mugabe described the first day of talks on Sunday, which continued into the early hours of Monday morning, as "a long night negotiating on some little hurdles".
He also thanked Mr Mbeki, calling him a "very patient man".
"We spent all night yesterday in discussions and some of the things that were holding back, at times I nearly raised my fist, but he remained cool and said: 'Let us continue talking'," Mr Mugabe added.
Ceremonial roleCeremonial role
The discussions in the capital, Harare, appear to have been stalled by disagreements over the make-up of the new coalition government and how much power President Mugabe is prepared to relinquish, the BBC's Jonah Fisher reports from neighbouring South Africa. The discussions in the capital, Harare, appear to have run into disagreements over the make-up of the new coalition government and how much power President Mugabe is prepared to relinquish, the BBC's Jonah Fisher reports from neighbouring South Africa.
There are always sticking points in any dialogue, but we are confident we will overcome President Robert MugabeThere are always sticking points in any dialogue, but we are confident we will overcome President Robert Mugabe
Having won March's parliamentary election, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) wants an allocation of ministries which closely mirrors that result, our correspondent says.Having won March's parliamentary election, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) wants an allocation of ministries which closely mirrors that result, our correspondent says.
The agreement being discussed would see Mr Mugabe remain president with the MDC's leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, becoming prime minister, reports say.The agreement being discussed would see Mr Mugabe remain president with the MDC's leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, becoming prime minister, reports say.
Mr Tsvangirai would head a large cabinet divided evenly between their two parties, but with a smaller faction of the MDC led by Arthur Mutambara holding the balance of posts, it is thought.Mr Tsvangirai would head a large cabinet divided evenly between their two parties, but with a smaller faction of the MDC led by Arthur Mutambara holding the balance of posts, it is thought.
The MDC said before the talks that while it would accept Mr Mugabe in a ceremonial role, if he was to retain significant powers it would reward him and the Zanu-PF for an alleged systematic campaign of violence against opposition supporters since the elections in March.The MDC said before the talks that while it would accept Mr Mugabe in a ceremonial role, if he was to retain significant powers it would reward him and the Zanu-PF for an alleged systematic campaign of violence against opposition supporters since the elections in March.
The US, EU and the UK have all said that a £1.9bn (£1bn) financial aid package, needed to stabilise Zimbabwe's economy and combat hyperinflation, will only be released if Mr Mugabe relinquished control. The US, EU and the UK have all said that a $1.9bn (£1bn) financial aid package, needed to stabilise Zimbabwe's economy and combat hyperinflation, will only be released if Mr Mugabe relinquished control.
But our correspondent says he has seen little sign that Mr Mugabe is willing to accept a ceremonial role.But our correspondent says he has seen little sign that Mr Mugabe is willing to accept a ceremonial role.
Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of Zimbabwe's presidential run-offMr Tsvangirai pulled out of Zimbabwe's presidential run-off
Asked if there had been any progress after a further four hours of talks at the Rainbow Towers hotel, the president told reporters: "Not at the present moment, but we will continue tomorrow."Asked if there had been any progress after a further four hours of talks at the Rainbow Towers hotel, the president told reporters: "Not at the present moment, but we will continue tomorrow."
Before Monday's talks began, Mr Tsvangirai said he hoped the discussions would soon be concluded.Before Monday's talks began, Mr Tsvangirai said he hoped the discussions would soon be concluded.
South Africa's president has been in Harare since Saturday. Before that, he was mediating negotiations from South Africa.South Africa's president has been in Harare since Saturday. Before that, he was mediating negotiations from South Africa.
Mr Mugabe won a run-off in June after Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of the race, blaming a campaign of violence against his supporters.Mr Mugabe won a run-off in June after Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of the race, blaming a campaign of violence against his supporters.
Mr Mbeki is under pressure to achieve a solid outcome ahead of next week's Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit.Mr Mbeki is under pressure to achieve a solid outcome ahead of next week's Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit.
Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans have fled the country's worsening political and economic situation, many crossing over the borders into neighbouring South Africa, Zambia and Botswana.Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans have fled the country's worsening political and economic situation, many crossing over the borders into neighbouring South Africa, Zambia and Botswana.