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Zimbabwe party mulls Mugabe role Zimbabwe party mulls Mugabe role
(about 2 hours later)
Leaders of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF are expected to meet on Friday to decide whether President Robert Mugabe should stand for re-election next year.Leaders of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF are expected to meet on Friday to decide whether President Robert Mugabe should stand for re-election next year.
Mr Mugabe has made it clear he wants to remain in officeMr Mugabe has made it clear he wants to remain in office
But he is under increasing pressure from Zanu-PF factions to stand down to end the political and economic crisis.But he is under increasing pressure from Zanu-PF factions to stand down to end the political and economic crisis.
On Thursday, southern African leaders agreed that South African President Thabo Mbeki should try to promote political dialogue inside Zimbabwe.On Thursday, southern African leaders agreed that South African President Thabo Mbeki should try to promote political dialogue inside Zimbabwe.
Behind the scenes, the issue everyone's talking about is Robert Mugabe's future.Behind the scenes, the issue everyone's talking about is Robert Mugabe's future.
The man who has led Zimbabwe for nearly 27 years has never looked as isolated as he is at present.The man who has led Zimbabwe for nearly 27 years has never looked as isolated as he is at present.
Friday's meeting of Zanu-PF's Central Committee brings together about 200 of the ruling party's most important decision-makers.Friday's meeting of Zanu-PF's Central Committee brings together about 200 of the ruling party's most important decision-makers.
In the knowledge that presidential elections are likely a year from now, there is intense lobbying going on within Zanu-PF.In the knowledge that presidential elections are likely a year from now, there is intense lobbying going on within Zanu-PF.
Mugabe's hold over Africa class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6503049.stm">Media urges pressure href="/1/hi/world/africa/6508971.stm">Summit disappoints critics class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6504039.stm">Mugabe's hold over Africa
President Mugabe is desperate to hold on to power. But he may only have support from around a third of the membership of his party's Central Committee.President Mugabe is desperate to hold on to power. But he may only have support from around a third of the membership of his party's Central Committee.
There are two opposing factions. One is led by the former armed forces commander, Solomon Mujuru, and his wife Joyce, who is the country's vice-president.There are two opposing factions. One is led by the former armed forces commander, Solomon Mujuru, and his wife Joyce, who is the country's vice-president.
The other is headed by Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former security minister.The other is headed by Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former security minister.
Both sides would like to see Mr Mugabe step aside, not least because under his leadership, Zimbabwe's economy is now out of control.Both sides would like to see Mr Mugabe step aside, not least because under his leadership, Zimbabwe's economy is now out of control.