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New deadlock hits Zimbabwe talks Mugabe optimistic as talks resume
(21 minutes later)
Zimbabwe's power-sharing talks remain deadlocked, despite earlier optimism that a deal was close. A fourth day of power-sharing talks has begun in Zimbabwe, with President Robert Mugabe appearing optimistic and the opposition cautious.
An opposition spokesman has reportedly called for the UN and African Union to intervene to break the impasse. "It's a day for deals," Mr Mugabe said as he arrived for the talks.
The US has threatened to impose new sanctions on President Robert Mugabe if he does not agree to share key posts with the opposition. But an opposition spokesman has reportedly called for the UN and African Union to help break an impasse.
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki is to start a fourth day of crisis talks in Harare. The US has threatened to impose new sanctions on Mr Mugabe if he does not agree to share key posts with the opposition, AFP news agency reports.
President Mugabe last week allocated the most important cabinet posts to his Zanu-PF party, prompting opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to threaten to pull out of a deal to share power. Former South African President Thabo Mbeki is hosting the crisis talks in Harare.
The rivals signed a deal last month but did not thrash out which party would hold which posts. When Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, arrived for the talks on Friday he sounded cautious saying, "We all have to have hope don't we?"
President Mugabe last week allocated the most important cabinet posts to his Zanu-PF party, prompting Mr Tsvangirai to threaten to pull out of a deal to share power.
The rivals signed the deal last month but did not thrash out which party would hold which posts.
'Dilly-dallying''Dilly-dallying'
"We have reached a deadlock on all issues," said opposition spokesman Nelson Chamisa late on Thursday. "We have reached a deadlock on all issues," said opposition spokesman Nelson Chamisa as talks ended on Thursday.
"They [the UN and AU] are the guarantors of the agreement. If Zanu-PF continues to be intransigent, then those institutions should step in," he told Reuters news agency before talks resumed on Friday."They [the UN and AU] are the guarantors of the agreement. If Zanu-PF continues to be intransigent, then those institutions should step in," he told Reuters news agency before talks resumed on Friday.
Robert Mugabe said his allies should hold the key posts, sparking crisis talksRobert Mugabe said his allies should hold the key posts, sparking crisis talks
Reports suggest that Mr Mugabe may have agreed to let Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) take the key finance post on Thursday. Reports suggest that Mr Mugabe may have agreed to let the MDC take the key finance post on Thursday.
But they could not agree on home affairs, sources say.But they could not agree on home affairs, sources say.
Zanu-PF officials have accused the MDC of intransigence, state media reports.Zanu-PF officials have accused the MDC of intransigence, state media reports.
"I would not want to call the delay dilly-dallying, but we have made a lot of compromises. Everyone has made some compromises and we hope that this will be all concluded tomorrow [Friday]," the state-owned Herald newspaper quotes Mr Mugabe as saying after talks ended on Thursday."I would not want to call the delay dilly-dallying, but we have made a lot of compromises. Everyone has made some compromises and we hope that this will be all concluded tomorrow [Friday]," the state-owned Herald newspaper quotes Mr Mugabe as saying after talks ended on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the top US diplomat for Africa, Jendayi Frazer has said she is disappointed in the lack of progress.Meanwhile, the top US diplomat for Africa, Jendayi Frazer has said she is disappointed in the lack of progress.
"Right now we're not so optimistic. It doesn't look very good for power-sharing," she said. "Right now we're not so optimistic. It doesn't look very good for power-sharing," she said, according to the AFP news agency.
"If it doesn't work then we are going to continue the pressure that we've put on the government. We will look at new sanctions against President Mugabe and his regime.""If it doesn't work then we are going to continue the pressure that we've put on the government. We will look at new sanctions against President Mugabe and his regime."
On Wednesday, Mr Mugabe and MDC secretary general Tendai Biti had said they hoped a deal could be reached on Thursday. On Wednesday, Mr Mugabe and MDC secretary general Tendai Biti had both said they hoped a deal could be reached on Thursday.
HeckledHeckled
Mr Mbeki is in Zimbabwe as a private citizen, trying to save the deal that he brokered shortly before resigning as South African president at the end of September.Mr Mbeki is in Zimbabwe as a private citizen, trying to save the deal that he brokered shortly before resigning as South African president at the end of September.
The latest talks began on Tuesday as Zimbabwe's parliament held its first working session under opposition control since disputed elections earlier this year.The latest talks began on Tuesday as Zimbabwe's parliament held its first working session under opposition control since disputed elections earlier this year.
MPs heckled each other at the opening.MPs heckled each other at the opening.
Mr Mugabe had earlier allocated the main ministries, including defence, home, foreign affairs, and justice, to his Zanu-PF party.Mr Mugabe had earlier allocated the main ministries, including defence, home, foreign affairs, and justice, to his Zanu-PF party.
Mr Tsvangirai wants all cabinet positions to be revisited in discussions with Mr Mbeki.Mr Tsvangirai wants all cabinet positions to be revisited in discussions with Mr Mbeki.
But Zanu-PF says only one ministry - finance - is up for discussion.But Zanu-PF says only one ministry - finance - is up for discussion.
According to the original deal - which allocates 15 ministries to Zanu-PF, 13 to the MDC and three to a smaller MDC faction - only Zanu-PF has a ministerial seat vacant.According to the original deal - which allocates 15 ministries to Zanu-PF, 13 to the MDC and three to a smaller MDC faction - only Zanu-PF has a ministerial seat vacant.
Rescue planRescue plan
Finance is one of the most crucial posts, as Zimbabweans hope the power-sharing deal will lead to action to tackle the economic crisis.Finance is one of the most crucial posts, as Zimbabweans hope the power-sharing deal will lead to action to tackle the economic crisis.
Donors have promised to help finance a recovery plan but they are unlikely to release funds if a Zanu-PF minister is in charge of the economy.Donors have promised to help finance a recovery plan but they are unlikely to release funds if a Zanu-PF minister is in charge of the economy.
At 231,000,000%, Zimbabwe has the world's highest rate of annual inflation, while some two million people need food aid.At 231,000,000%, Zimbabwe has the world's highest rate of annual inflation, while some two million people need food aid.
Aid agencies warn that figure could double, leaving almost half the population going hungry within the next few months.Aid agencies warn that figure could double, leaving almost half the population going hungry within the next few months.
As well as finance, the MDC also insists it should have home affairs - and control of the police - if Zanu-PF has defence.As well as finance, the MDC also insists it should have home affairs - and control of the police - if Zanu-PF has defence.
The MDC has accused both the police and the military of taking part in violent attacks on its supporters ahead of the presidential run-off in June.The MDC has accused both the police and the military of taking part in violent attacks on its supporters ahead of the presidential run-off in June.