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| Zimbabwe rivals in historic pact | Zimbabwe rivals in historic pact |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| An historic power-sharing deal is being signed in Zimbabwe, aimed at ending the country's prolonged political crisis. | An historic power-sharing deal is being signed in Zimbabwe, aimed at ending the country's prolonged political crisis. |
| The signing is taking place at a ceremony in the capital, Harare, attended by several African leaders. | The signing is taking place at a ceremony in the capital, Harare, attended by several African leaders. |
| Leaks of last week's agreement suggest that Robert Mugabe will remain president, and retain control of the military, but with reduced powers. | Leaks of last week's agreement suggest that Robert Mugabe will remain president, and retain control of the military, but with reduced powers. |
| Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will be the new PM with substantial responsibilities, including policing. | Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will be the new PM with substantial responsibilities, including policing. |
| The breakthrough came late on Thursday after months of difficult negotiations mediated by South African President Thabo Mbeki. | The breakthrough came late on Thursday after months of difficult negotiations mediated by South African President Thabo Mbeki. |
| REPORTED DEAL Robert Mugabe: PresidentHeads armed forcesChairs cabinetZanu-PF has 15 ministers Morgan Tsvangirai: Prime ministerChairs council of ministersControls police forceMDC has 16 ministers - 3 from smaller faction Muted reaction to Zimbabwe dealZimbabwean readers' views | REPORTED DEAL Robert Mugabe: PresidentHeads armed forcesChairs cabinetZanu-PF has 15 ministers Morgan Tsvangirai: Prime ministerChairs council of ministersControls police forceMDC has 16 ministers - 3 from smaller faction Muted reaction to Zimbabwe dealZimbabwean readers' views |
| No details were given but Mr Mbeki said the agreement would be made public on Monday. | No details were given but Mr Mbeki said the agreement would be made public on Monday. |
| The leadership of both Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF endorsed the deal over the weekend, local media report. | The leadership of both Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF endorsed the deal over the weekend, local media report. |
| As prime minister, Tsvangirai is expected to chair a council of ministers which is responsible for the day-to-day managing of the country's affairs. | As prime minister, Tsvangirai is expected to chair a council of ministers which is responsible for the day-to-day managing of the country's affairs. |
| According to the leaks, the MDC and another MDC faction will together have 16 ministers, while President Mugabe's Zanu-PF will have 15 ministers. | |
| Some members have called it a climb-down, although others have said it is the best available. | Some members have called it a climb-down, although others have said it is the best available. |
| 'A new page' | 'A new page' |
| The deal opens the way for international donors to help to revive Zimbabwe's collapsing economy, where inflation is at more than 11,000,000%. | The deal opens the way for international donors to help to revive Zimbabwe's collapsing economy, where inflation is at more than 11,000,000%. |
| The BBC's Allan Little in Johannesburg says Morgan Tsvangarai's trump card was that he alone could attract the foreign-funded reconstruction effort that Zimbabwe needs. | The BBC's Allan Little in Johannesburg says Morgan Tsvangarai's trump card was that he alone could attract the foreign-funded reconstruction effort that Zimbabwe needs. |
| But he also knows that the foreign donor countries will want to see hard evidence - and soon - that power really has shifted away from Robert Mugabe, our correspondent says. | But he also knows that the foreign donor countries will want to see hard evidence - and soon - that power really has shifted away from Robert Mugabe, our correspondent says. |
| European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said a decision on lifting sanctions on Zimbabwean officials had been postponed until October. | European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said a decision on lifting sanctions on Zimbabwean officials had been postponed until October. |
| Mr Solana said the EU needed to study the details of the power-sharing agreement but that he expected it to open "a new page" for Zimbabwe. | Mr Solana said the EU needed to study the details of the power-sharing agreement but that he expected it to open "a new page" for Zimbabwe. |
| Mr Mugabe, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, won a controversial presidential run-off election in June. | Mr Mugabe, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, won a controversial presidential run-off election in June. |
| He ran unopposed after Mr Tsvangirai withdrew, claiming the MDC was the target of state-sponsored violence. | He ran unopposed after Mr Tsvangirai withdrew, claiming the MDC was the target of state-sponsored violence. |
| In the first round of the presidential election in March, Mr Tsvangirai gained more votes than Mr Mugabe, but official results say he did not pass the 50% threshold for outright victory. | In the first round of the presidential election in March, Mr Tsvangirai gained more votes than Mr Mugabe, but official results say he did not pass the 50% threshold for outright victory. |
| Are you in Zimbabwe? Do you believe the power sharing deal will end the country's political crisis? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you in Zimbabwe? Do you believe the power sharing deal will end the country's political crisis? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |