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Mugabe honours head of elections Mugabe honours head of elections
(about 4 hours later)
President Robert Mugabe has awarded a medal to Zimbabwe's election chief as talks to resolve the country's political crisis enter a third day. President Robert Mugabe has awarded a medal to Zimbabwe's election chief during a third day of talks to resolve the country's political crisis.
He honoured George Chiweshe, head of the Zimbabwe Election Commission, alongside other ex-military officers. He honoured George Chiweshe, head of the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC), who has been criticised for his handling of the country's recent polls.
Mr Mugabe has indicated that power-sharing negotiations were blocked, although he has also said differences can be overcome. Mr Mugabe had indicated power-sharing negotiations were blocked, but he has also said differences can be overcome.
Mr Chiweshe has been criticised for his handling of the country's recent polls. The talks are expected to resume on Wednesday, the opposition said.
The election campaign was accompanied by violence that claimed the lives of more than 100 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. After four hours of talks ended on Tuesday, the Secretary General of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Tendai Biti, said: "The talks have not collapsed. It's just a time out."
Zimbabwean journalist Brian Hungwe says the prospects for a deal have been looking dim, with negotiations blocked over how power can be shared between Mr Mugabe and opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai. But MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai left the talks without comment and the BBC's Karen Allen in Johannesburg says confusion surrounds the state of the talks.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has been leading mediation over Zimbabwe's presidential elections. South African President Thabo Mbeki has been mediating the talks, and his role is expected to come under scrutiny at a meeting of regional powers this weekend.
His role is expected to come under scrutiny at a meeting of regional powers this weekend.
'Test of time''Test of time'
At Gwanzura stadium in Harare to celebrate Defence Forces Day, Mr Mugabe conferred 10 army generals with medals for their role in the struggle against colonial rule.At Gwanzura stadium in Harare to celebrate Defence Forces Day, Mr Mugabe conferred 10 army generals with medals for their role in the struggle against colonial rule.
Zec chairman George Chiweshe oversaw heavily criticised polls "Our defence forces have stood the test of time," he told the crowd.
At the ceremony, Mr Mugabe told an audience: "Our defence forces have stood the test of time." He added that he hoped the "achievements that they have enumerated will continue to grow".
He added that he hoped that the "achievements that they have enumerated will continue to grow". ZEC chairman George Chiweshe oversaw heavily criticised polls
Observers say that what had appeared to be strong momentum for reaching a weekend deal now appears to be on the wane.
Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential election in March, before pulling out of a June run-off because of a campaign of violence against his supporters.Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential election in March, before pulling out of a June run-off because of a campaign of violence against his supporters.
The violence claimed the lives of more than 100 people and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Correspondents say the Joint Operations Command (Joc) - a committee of Mr Mugabe's military chiefs - is believed to have masterminded Mr Mugabe's re-election campaign.Correspondents say the Joint Operations Command (Joc) - a committee of Mr Mugabe's military chiefs - is believed to have masterminded Mr Mugabe's re-election campaign.
On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch said in a report that the campaign of violence had continued, with ruling Zanu-PF supporters continuing to terrorise villagers in rural areas.On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch said in a report that the campaign of violence had continued, with ruling Zanu-PF supporters continuing to terrorise villagers in rural areas.
The government was making little effort to dismantle torture camps set up by its supporters, and hundreds of opposition activists were still in hiding, it said.The government was making little effort to dismantle torture camps set up by its supporters, and hundreds of opposition activists were still in hiding, it said.
Zanu-PF has blamed the opposition for post-election violence.Zanu-PF has blamed the opposition for post-election violence.
Moving goalposts
At the Armed Forces Day events, Mr Mugabe praised security forces for defending Zimbabwe's "hard-won independence".At the Armed Forces Day events, Mr Mugabe praised security forces for defending Zimbabwe's "hard-won independence".
These sterling achievements have overcome numerous concerted efforts from some sections of the international community to destabilise our peace President Robert Mugabe
"These sterling achievements have overcome numerous concerted efforts from some sections of the international community to destabilise our peace and stability and thus cause confusion in our country," he said."These sterling achievements have overcome numerous concerted efforts from some sections of the international community to destabilise our peace and stability and thus cause confusion in our country," he said.
Leaders met for about five hours in Harare on Monday, after a marathon meeting the day before that lasted more than 13 hours. Tsvangirai is moving goal posts, forcing us to negotiate issues which we had already agreed upon Zanu-PF official
Asked after Monday's round if talks were progressing well, Mr Mugabe replied: "Not as at present." Tuesday's talks between the leaders followed a five-hour meeting in Harare on Monday, after a marathon session the day before that lasted more than 13 hours.
Asked after Monday's round if talks were progressing well, a Zanu-PF official replied: "Not as at present."
"Tsvangirai is moving goal posts, forcing us to negotiate issues which we had already agreed upon," he was quoted as saying."Tsvangirai is moving goal posts, forcing us to negotiate issues which we had already agreed upon," he was quoted as saying.
Mr Tsvangirai said he "supposed" the talks were progressing well. On Monday, Mr Tsvangirai said he "supposed" the talks were progressing well, but he offered no comment after Tuesday's talks.
Having also won March's parliamentary election, the MDC is believed to be seeking an allocation of ministries that closely mirrors that result.Having also won March's parliamentary election, the MDC is believed to be seeking an allocation of ministries that closely mirrors that result.
The agreement being discussed would see Mr Mugabe remain president with Mr Tsvangirai, becoming prime minister, reports say.The agreement being discussed would see Mr Mugabe remain president with Mr Tsvangirai, becoming prime minister, reports say.
The MDC has said it would accept Mr Mugabe in a ceremonial role, but has indicated he should not be able to retain significant executive powers.The MDC has said it would accept Mr Mugabe in a ceremonial role, but has indicated he should not be able to retain significant executive powers.
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 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.