The political crisis in Zimbabwe is continuing to dominate a summit of southern African leaders as they try to push for a deal in Johannesburg.
Zimbabwe's ruling party and opposition have been unable to reach a power-sharing agreement at a regional summit of Southern African leaders.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and the main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, are at the talks.
Asked if a deal had been reached in Johannesburg, a spokesman for the main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said: "No, not at all".
However, South African President Thabo Mbeki said after the official summit closed that talks would continue.
Hours earlier, Mr Tsvangirai said the talks had been going "very well".
Mr Mbeki is the regionally appointed mediator for Zimbabwe, and the latest talks took place at a summit of leaders of the 14-member Southern African Development Community (Sadc).
As the summit formally ended, Mr Tsvangirai's spokesman, George Sibotshiwe, told reporters: "There is no deal yet."
Mr Tsvangirai is said to have agreed in principle for Mr Mugabe to retain the title of president, while he takes on a beefed-up prime ministerial role.
Mr Tsvangirai is said to have agreed in principle for Mr Mugabe to retain the title of president, while he takes on a beefed-up prime ministerial role.
The key sticking points are reported to be over the exact balance of power.
The key sticking points are reported to be over the exact balance of power.
Mr Tsvangirai told reporters on Sunday morning that the negotiations were going "very well", Reuters reported.
Mr Tsvangirai finished ahead of Mr Mugabe in the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential election in March and his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) also won a majority in parliamentary elections.
But in an interview with the New York Times, Mr Tsvangirai said the most basic issue of how he and Mr Mugabe would share power remained unsettled.
But Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of the second round of the presidential election, citing a campaign of violence against his supporters. Mr Mugabe went on to win the vote unopposed.
And Mr Tsvangirai indicated that he would only be prepared to compromise so far.
Red lines
Mr Tsvangirai told the New York Times that the most basic issue of how he and Mr Mugabe would share power remained unsettled, and there were limits to the compromises he could make.
âIt's better not to have a deal than to have a bad deal,â Mr Tsvangirai told the newspaper.
âIt's better not to have a deal than to have a bad deal,â Mr Tsvangirai told the newspaper.
Mr Tsvangirai finished ahead of Mr Mugabe in the first round of the presidential election in March and his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) also won a majority in parliamentary elections.
Sticking-points in the power-sharing talks are reported to include
But Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of the second round of the presidential election, citing a campaign of violence against his supporters. Mr Mugabe won the vote unopposed.
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the
balance of power between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai
the
make-up of any coalition cabinet
control
of Zimbabwe's security forces
the
possibility of an amnesty over post-election violence
These events have... brought into question SADC as an institution capable of promoting the rule of law and democratic governance Zambia's Foreign Minister Kabinga Pande, reading statement on behalf of President Mwanawasa South Africa's Thabo Mbeki has been mediating long-running talks on how to address the political deadlock in Zimbabwe.
Mr Tsvangirai had a seat at the summit with other invited guests on the floor while President Mugabe joined other regional leaders at the head table.
The discussions have continued at this weekend's summit of leaders in the 14-member Southern African Development Community (Sadc).
Arthur Mutambara, head of a breakaway MDC faction, also attended.
Mr Mugabe joined other regional leaders at the head table, while Mr Tsvangirai took a seat with other invited guests on the floor.
Arthur Mutambara, head of a breakaway MDC faction, is also attending.
Sticking points in the power-sharing talks are reported to include:
the balance of power between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai
the make-up of any coalition cabinet
control of Zimbabwe's security forces
the possibility of an amnesty over post-election violence
Pressure on Mbeki
Pressure on Mbeki
Some critics believe regional leaders' handling of the Zimbabwe crisis has reflected badly on them.
Some critics believe regional leaders' handling of the Zimbabwe crisis has reflected badly on them.
Protesters outside the summit made their feelings clearEvents in Zimbabwe were a "blot on the culture of democracy", Zambia said.
Protesters outside the summit made their feelings clear
Events in Zimbabwe were a "blot on the culture of democracy", Zambia said.
The rare public criticism, attributed to Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, comes after Botswana's president decided to boycott the summit in protest.
The rare public criticism, attributed to Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, comes after Botswana's president decided to boycott the summit in protest.
Zambia's Foreign Minister Kabinga Pande said the "regrettable events" in Zimbabwe had "no doubt left a serious blot on the culture of democracy in our sub region.
Zambia's Foreign Minister Kabinga Pande said the "regrettable events" in Zimbabwe had "no doubt left a serious blot on the culture of democracy in our sub region.
"Not only were these events alien to our region but they also brought into question Sadc as an institution capable of promoting the rule of law and democratic governance," he added, in a statement he read on behalf of President Mwanawasa, who is in hospital after suffering a stroke.
"These events... brought into question SADC as an institution capable of promoting the rule of law and democratic governance," he said, speaking on behalf of President Mwanawasa, who is in hospital after suffering a stroke.
Pressure has been mounting on Mr Mbeki to secure a deal - as evidenced by a noisy rally by trade unionists linked to Mr Mbeki's ruling party outside the summit convention hall in Johannesburg.
/>Are you in the region? Are you surprised the summit failed to achieve a breakthrough in Zimbabwe? Send us your views and experiences using the form below:
Mr Mbeki has said he is determined to reach a deal and has promised to stay in Zimbabwe for six months to get one if necessary.
Are you in the region? Do you think the SADC summit will lead to a breakthrough in Zimbabwe? Send us your views and experiences using the form below:
