Talks to resume between party leaders in Zimbabwe

Middle East News.Net
Tuesday 8th July, 2008

President Robert Mugabe's ruling party and Zimbabwe's Opposition are set to resume talks to resolve the country's political crisis.

Zimbabwean media has reported that the Opposition Movement for Democratic Change has agreed to the resumption of negotiations with the ruling ZANU-PF under the mediation of South African President Thabo Mbeki.

Tendai Biti, a senior MDC official, would neither confirm nor deny the report, but Zimbabwean Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa provided the details.

MDC Leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said the Opposition will not participate in any negotiations until Mr Mugabe's government accepts his victory in a March 29th presidential election.

Mr Tsvangirai won that poll but failed to win an outright majority.

Mr Tsvangirai refused to attend talks with Mr Mbeki and Mr Mugabe in Harare on the weekend because that would have endorsed the veteran Zimbabwean leader's disputed re-election.

Mr Tsvangirai accuses Mr Mbeki of favouring Mr Mugabe and has called for expanded mediation by the African Union.

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