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African leaders in Zimbabwe talks African leaders in Zimbabwe talks
(about 3 hours later)
A summit of 14 southern African countries is being held in Tanzania, with the crisis in Zimbabwe at the top of its agenda. A summit of 14 southern African countries is being held in Tanzania, with the crisis in Zimbabwe and its impact on the region top of the agenda.
Diplomats say leaders will tell Robert Mugabe that he should not stand for re-election in Zimbabwe next year.Diplomats say leaders will tell Robert Mugabe that he should not stand for re-election in Zimbabwe next year.
The meeting comes a day after police in Zimbabwe detained opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai for a few hours. But a presidential spokesman told the BBC it was for voters not heads of state to tell Mr Mugabe when to go.
Police denied Mr Tsvangirai was among those arrested when they raided the offices of his opposition party. Political tension appears to be rising in Zimbabwe where police on Wednesday cracked down further on the opposition.
Police cordoned off the Harare headquarters of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) ahead of a planned news conference by Mr Tsvangirai. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said its leader Morgan Tsvangirai was held for several hours after Wednesday's police raid on the party's headquarters in Harare.
He had been expected to talk about the political violence in the country. Earlier this month he was allegedly beaten in police custody following his arrest at a banned rally. Police denied he was among those arrested.
Zimbabwe is under assault ... it is under assault from Western countries that have imposed illegal sanctions on it George Charamba Presidential spokesman
On Thursday, police cordoned off the MDC building ahead of a planned news conference.
Opposition lawmaker Felix Mashu told the conference he and several others detained on Wednesday had been beaten.
However, Mr Tsvangirai was not present, the Associated Press news agency reported.
International criticismInternational criticism
The summit brings together the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC). The summit in Tanzania brings together the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Talks are also expected to address recent violence in the capital of DR Congo, Kinshasa.Talks are also expected to address recent violence in the capital of DR Congo, Kinshasa.
Mugabe's hold over Africa Media urges pressure Zimbabwe's president will be told in very plain terms, diplomats say, that the region cannot afford to see the situation continue, let alone deteriorate into a civil war that could engulf its neighbours. Mugabe's hold over Africa Media urges pressure
Zimbabwe's president will be told in very plain terms, diplomats say, that the region cannot afford to see the situation continue, let alone deteriorate into a civil war that could engulf its neighbours.
The BBC's Peter Greste in Dar es Salaam says Mr Mugabe has dismissed such complaints from the West in the past and might find it much harder to ignore those from his neighbours.The BBC's Peter Greste in Dar es Salaam says Mr Mugabe has dismissed such complaints from the West in the past and might find it much harder to ignore those from his neighbours.
However, much of the debate will be behind closed doors.However, much of the debate will be behind closed doors.
Most African leaders have been reluctant to publicly criticise Mr Mugabe, who is still seen be many as a hero of the fight against colonial rule. Most African leaders have been reluctant to publicly criticise Mr Mugabe, who is still seen by many as a hero of the fight against colonial rule.
However, there has been some change in tone following the assault on Mr Tsvangirai and other opposition activists.However, there has been some change in tone following the assault on Mr Tsvangirai and other opposition activists.
Zambia's President Levy Mwanawasa compared Zimbabwe to the Titanic.
HAVE YOUR SAY The meeting between southern Africa's leaders is long overdue. Silent diplomacy has no future for Zimbabwe Patrick Adar, Kampala Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The meeting between southern Africa's leaders is long overdue. Silent diplomacy has no future for Zimbabwe Patrick Adar, Kampala Send us your comments
Richard Dowden, director of the UK's Royal African Society, told the BBC's Today programme that the SADC leaders might gently suggest that Mr Mugabe does not stand again in elections due next year.Richard Dowden, director of the UK's Royal African Society, told the BBC's Today programme that the SADC leaders might gently suggest that Mr Mugabe does not stand again in elections due next year.
But he says the people who really matter are those in his Zanu-PF party.But he says the people who really matter are those in his Zanu-PF party.
The policy-making body of his Zanu-PF party is due to meet on Friday to decide whether to postpone the elections and, if not, who its candidate will be. The Zanu-PF policy-making body is due to meet on Friday to decide whether to postpone the elections and, if not, who its candidate will be.
Two party heavyweights might block Mr Mugabe's bid to stand again, Mr Dowden says. Speaking to the BBC, Mr Mugabe's spokesman George Charamba said the president would stay for as long as he had the popular vote.
The pressure for change, he said, was coming from the US and Europe, and Zimbabwe was hoping for the support of other African nations.
"Our expectations are very, very simple: to recognise that Zimbabwe is under assault... it is under assault from Western countries that have imposed illegal sanctions on it," Mr Charamba said.
"This is a moment for SADC to show solidarity with Zimbabwe."
Election decision?Election decision?
As Mr Mugabe arrived in Tanzania on Wednesday night, the US state department expressed concern about Mr Tsvangirai and urged the SADC summit to hold Mr Mugabe to account "for his misrule, not only over the last few weeks but over the last few years".As Mr Mugabe arrived in Tanzania on Wednesday night, the US state department expressed concern about Mr Tsvangirai and urged the SADC summit to hold Mr Mugabe to account "for his misrule, not only over the last few weeks but over the last few years".
The police say these guns and explosives belonged to the oppositionMr Mugabe has blamed the opposition for the recent violence, accusing it of staging attacks. Police say these guns and explosives belonged to the oppositionMr Mugabe has blamed the opposition for the recent violence, accusing it of staging attacks.
The police on Wednesday exhibited explosives and guns, they say belonged to opposition activists. The MDC deny any involvement. Police on Wednesday showed explosives and guns they said belonged to opposition activists. The MDC denies any involvement.
Mr Mugabe has dismissed complaints from the West about human rights abuses and political oppression as the whining of old colonists.Mr Mugabe has dismissed complaints from the West about human rights abuses and political oppression as the whining of old colonists.
In addition to the political conflict, Zimbabweans are grappling with the world's highest inflation - 1,700% a year - while unemployment and poverty are widespread.In addition to the political conflict, Zimbabweans are grappling with the world's highest inflation - 1,700% a year - while unemployment and poverty are widespread.
Mr Mugabe has governed Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980.Mr Mugabe has governed Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980.