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Zimbabwe attacks 'kill dialogue' Zimbabwe attacks 'kill dialogue'
(about 2 hours later)
Renewed violence has ended hopes of negotiating an end to Zimbabwe's political crisis, the country's main opposition party has said.Renewed violence has ended hopes of negotiating an end to Zimbabwe's political crisis, the country's main opposition party has said.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) blamed President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party for an "orgy of brutality" across Zimbabwe.The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) blamed President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party for an "orgy of brutality" across Zimbabwe.
The statement came ahead of regional talks in South Africa on Zimbabwe's political stalemate. The statement came ahead of regional talks in South Africa this weekend on Zimbabwe's political stalemate.
South Africa has said it will take a tough stance at the weekend summit. South Africa's government has said it will take a tough stance at the summit.
A South African government spokesman said the host country wanted to ensure a deal is reached. Mr Mugabe and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed a deal to share power in September, following disputed elections and widespread violence earlier this year.
"The failure of the parties to agree is something that is becoming a major political hindrance to the stability that we desire," said Themba Maseko. But the two sides have not been able to agree on how to share cabinet posts.
But the MDC said Zanu-PF violence had "unleashed a new orgy of brutality and assaults across the whole country". On Thursday, the MDC said Mr Mugabe's party had "unleashed a new orgy of brutality and assaults across the whole country".
"In short Zanu-PF killed the dialogue despite the hopes, patience and expectations of the people of Zimbabwe." "In short, Zanu-PF killed the dialogue despite the hopes, patience and expectations of the people of Zimbabwe," it said in a statement.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told AFP that party leader Morgan Tsvangirai would still attend the talks, but that the violence showed Mr Mugabe's lack of sincerity. 'Child arrested'
Southern African leaders are meeting after recent talks failed to break the deadlock. MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told the AFP news agency that Morgan Tsvangirai would still attend Sunday's summit of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), but that the recent violence had shown Mr Mugabe's lack of sincerity.
The government and opposition cannot agree on sharing cabinet posts. An earlier MDC statement said a Zanu-PF militia group had attacked at least 25 MDC supporters in the capital, Harare, last week. Heads of state must now take urgent steps to make sure political solutions are found Themba Maseko South African government
Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai signed a deal to share power in September, after disputed elections. Three days later, state security forces had raided homes belonging to MDC supporters and arrested nine people, including a two-year-old child, it added.
But Mr Tsvangirai's MDC says President Mugabe and his party, Zanu-PF, are trying to grab all the most important ministries. There has been no immediate comment from the Zimbabwean authorities on the allegations.
The Sadc summit this weekend comes after recent talks failed to break Zimbabwe's deadlock.
Mr Tsvangirai's MDC says President Mugabe and his party, Zanu-PF, are trying to grab all the most important ministries.
The key sticking point at the latest round of talks was control of the home affairs ministry, which is responsible for the police.The key sticking point at the latest round of talks was control of the home affairs ministry, which is responsible for the police.
"It's government's view that the heads of state must now take urgent steps to make sure political solutions are found," Mr Maseko said, reports the AFP news agency. A spokesman for the South African government, Themba Maseko, said the host country wanted to ensure a deal was reached.
President Mugabe's government has published a gazette, giving the ministries of defence to justice Zanu-PF. "The failure of the parties to agree is something that is becoming a major political hindrance to the stability that we desire," he said.
But he has reportedly agreed to let the MDC have the finance portfolio. "It's government's view that the heads of state must now take urgent steps to make sure political solutions are found," Mr Maseko said, according to AFP.
Under the deal, Mr Tsvangirai would become prime minister in a new government, tasked with ending the country's economic crisis. President Mugabe's government has published a gazette, giving the ministries of defence to justice Zanu-PF. But he has reportedly agreed to let the MDC have the finance portfolio.
Under the deal, Mr Tsvangirai would become prime minister in the new government, tasked with ending the country's economic crisis.
Zimbabwe is facing severe food shortages and rampant inflation.Zimbabwe is facing severe food shortages and rampant inflation.
Sunday's summit is also expected to discuss recent fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.Sunday's summit is also expected to discuss recent fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.