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Mugabe rival 'needs to reflect' Mugabe rival 'needs to reflect'
(about 3 hours later)
Talks on power-sharing in Zimbabwe have adjourned to give opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai time to reflect, South Africa's president has said.Talks on power-sharing in Zimbabwe have adjourned to give opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai time to reflect, South Africa's president has said.
Thabo Mbeki spoke amid confusion about whether Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe had reached an agreement with a breakaway opposition faction.Thabo Mbeki spoke amid confusion about whether Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe had reached an agreement with a breakaway opposition faction.
Mr Mbeki was due to leave for Angola after mediating during three days of talks in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare. Mr Mbeki left Zimbabwe on Wednesday after mediating during three days of talks in the capital, Harare.
He said he was determined to help end the "suffering" of Zimbabwe's people.He said he was determined to help end the "suffering" of Zimbabwe's people.
The power-sharing talks have involved Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and a breakaway MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara.The power-sharing talks have involved Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and a breakaway MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara.
I know the suffering that the people of Zimbabwe are experiencing South African President Thabo Mbeki
There were reports of an agreement between Mr Mugabe and Mr Mutambara, but Mr Mbeki said negotiations would continue.
"The time, the space that Mr Tsvangirai has asked for is to reflect on this matter about which the other two negotiators have agreed," Mr Mbeki said."The time, the space that Mr Tsvangirai has asked for is to reflect on this matter about which the other two negotiators have agreed," Mr Mbeki said.
"I know the suffering that the people of Zimbabwe are experiencing. I know the violence they've experienced in the last few months, I know the problems that have accumulated over many years," he added. He denied that there had been a breakdown in the talks after Mr Tsvangirai left Tuesday's round of talks early.
He referred to Zimbabwe's economic crisis and its impact on the country's neighbours. "I will talk to all of the negotiators and reconvene them," he said before leaving for Angola.
Balance of power
Mr Mbeki did not elaborate, but sticking points in the power-sharing talks are reported to include:
Mr Mugabe won a second controversial poll in June unopposed
  • The balance of power between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai
  • The makeup of any coalition cabinet
  • Control of Zimbabwe's security forces
  • The possibility of an amnesty over post-election violence
Mr Mbeki also spoke about Zimbabwe's economic crisis and its impact on the country's neighbours.
"I know the suffering that the people of Zimbabwe are experiencing," he said.
"I know the violence they've experienced in the last few months, I know the problems that have accumulated over many years.
"We've got to say what it is that we can contribute to help these problems solved.""We've got to say what it is that we can contribute to help these problems solved."
'Six months'
The South African president said he was determined to reach a deal, as were the negotiating parties.
"If it means staying in Zimbabwe, in Harare, for six months I'll stay for that."
Mr Mbeki has been under pressure to make progress on Zimbabwe ahead of a Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit this weekend.
Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential election in March, before pulling out of a June run-off citing 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 citing a campaign of violence against his supporters.
Human Rights Watch said this week that the violence had not stopped, with supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF 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, the group said.
Mr Mugabe and his supporters have blamed the opposition and the international community for instability in Zimbabwe.